Last updated March 25, 2013

Partner Description:

Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI) is a non-profit organization based in the Philippines that aims to relieve poverty and unemployment by promoting micro-enterprise development.

The organization started by reaching out to small business owners who had no access to credit. Over time, it expanded its reach to provide non-financial services to clients, and eventually grow into what it is today: a byword of eco-social development in Central Luzon and nearby regions.

ASKI opened its doors in 1987 to promote the development of micro- and small-to-medium enterprises and the delivery of social services. Beginning on a small playing field in Cabanatuan City, it has since branched out into other provinces in Central Luzon and adjacent regions.

From a handful of loans services, ASKI’s offerings have diversified into capacity building, other cooperative arrangements and health and insurance programs, money transfers and more.

ASKI fulfills its social mission by doing community development work and providing outreach programs. Some of these programs include scholarships for students, sponsorship of day care centers, a food program for children, health services for senior citizens, relief for typhoon victims, and donations to other charitable organizations in the area.

September 11, 2011

As part of an ongoing effort to fully migrate risk ratings to our new and enhanced risk rating system, Kiva has conducted a re-assessment of the level of risk posed by this institution.

During this re-assessment, our analysts were able to gather updated operational and financial information about the institution, as well as speak with key members of the staff.

Kiva's new risk rating system, which now includes half stars, has enabled us to display ASKI's risk rating with a higher level of granularity. As a result, ASKI's risk rating will now be displayed as 3.5 stars instead of 4 stars.

We have prepared a blog post with more information on Kiva's new and enhanced risk rating system, along with a chart showing the relative magnitude of the overall changes for Kiva's portfolio.  To view that, please go here: http://www.kiva.org/updates/kiva/2011/09/07/kiva-risk-ratings-now-with-half-stars.html.