Ariful Islam leads BRAC Uganda

With a steady hand and big heart, Ariful Islam patiently solves problem after problem as he builds BRAC Uganda. Pictured with me on a visit last week, Arif explains that since he arrived in the country for the first time in November 2005, he has discovered an incredible country with fertile land, rich culture and vibrant people. Here is Arif in action: observing a microfinance meeting in Nanteete Branch, with Agriculture staff at its new cereal and vegetable trial farm in Iganga, with Poultry and Livestock staff at a training for vaccinators, among members of a Model Farmers training, watching girls perform at the one of its new Nike-supported Adolescent Development Centres that aim to invest in 'the girl effect.' All part of his exciting work.

To visitors from the Mastercard Foundation, Arif explained that BRAC has adapted what works in Bangladesh to this new environment and context. And there are many changes. For example, the learning centers for out-of-school older children in Northern Uganda follow the official government curricula and BRAC sends its teachers (who live in IDP camps) to the government training program to get special orientation to the curriculum each year. The microfinance program has had to make larger loans in response to demand because of higher food and other prices of basic goods as well as introduce shorter loan products. Because Uganda's population is less dense than Bangladesh, they have a one Area Manager for every 7 to 8 branches instead of 10. They also have 100% female staff directly working with the female members unlike in Bangladesh where the staff is mostly male. Unfortunately because of Government regulations, unlike in Bangladesh, BRAC Uganda cannot mobilize savings from members who meet weekly in groups. Another significant difference from Bangladesh is that in Uganda, BRAC involves the local government officials (LC1) in reviewing their household survey to help them identify the bottom 50% of the population. They also ask their group members to get a certificate from the LC1 to accompany their application as a way to better know their potential clients.

Arif brings to Uganda dedication to ending poverty, commitment to building capacity and, given his 26 years of service with BRAC, knowledge of its history of trial-and-error in building its myriad programs. He speaks glowing of the various Ugandan staff he has recruited, from the first employee, Veronica, who has been promoted from Administrative Assistant to Branch Manager and now Microfinance Trainer, to Barbara, the creative manager developing a new program to help adolescent girls boost their self-esteem and harness their power. He is confident that Ugandans will soon be managing all key aspects of BRAC Uganda and soon helping other countries get started. "Why not?" Arif says with a wide smile and sparkling eyes. True to his roots and expertise in education, Arif recognizes that unleashing the potential in people is the best source of power to develop a country.