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Scotland
Grameen Microcredit in Glasgow

Professor Pamela Gillis and Professor Yunus
at the MoU Signing Ceremony

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and Grameen Trust (GT) have partnered to create the Grameen Caledonian Creative Lab (GCCL) in Glasgow, Scotland. Among other activities, GCCL will replicate the Grameen Bank model of providing microcredit for poverty alleviation in inner-city Glasgow. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed in Dhaka on February 19, 2009 by Professor Pamela Gillies Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University and Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, Executive Trustee of Grameen Trust.

"This lab will bridge the two countries and focus on applied action research on poverty alleviation, environment and social business," said Professor Gillies.

"As part of its commitment to the MoU, the GCU team is exploring the potential for Masters level scholarships and student exchange programs between Bangladesh and Scotland," said Professor Yunus. Many poor students will be able to take training on nursing, as GCU is a renowned institute in this sector.

Professor Gillies said that the initiative came following Professor Yunus' visit to Glasgow in December 2008. She also added that the lab will host workshops, seminars and conferences and be a clearinghouse for information to manage the network between education, the public, private and voluntary sectors and civil society.

Report by : Tamim Islam


USA
GAI Opens Two New Branches
Implementation of Grameen microcredit programs in New York City seemed unbelievable to many people, but the reality is that Grameen America, Inc. (GAI), a BOM project of Grameen Trust, has been successfully reaching the poorest women in the city and serving them with financial services.
The first loan disbursement of GAI was made in January 2008 through the Jackson Heights branch in Queens, New York. GAI has reached a total of 850 members and disbursed about US$ 2 million till June 2009. The project has been enjoying almost 100% repayment rate.

Overcoming the challenges at the initial phase, such as finding out suitable locations for conducting center meetings, convincing the potential members to form groups with members from different backgrounds and adjusting the timing for center meetings, GAI has come a long way ahead with great momentum.

Based on the successful operation of the Jackson Heights branch, GAI has opened two new branches in Brooklyn, New York City and Omaha, Nebraska. GAI is being implemented by the Project Director and Branch Managers from Grameen with the help of locally recruited field staffs, who have been thoroughly trained on Grameen methodology and procedures. They have been working relentlessly as a team to increase the outreach and improve the quality of life of their members.

Report by : Senti Chakma.