Update from Kiva - September 2, 2009

Kiva commenced partnership with Kraban Support Foundation in the fourth quarter of 2006. The partnership was closed in mid-2007 after Kiva discovered irregularities in the application of its policies by Kraban Support Foundation. Over the course of the partnership, Kraban Support Foundation raised approximately $500,000 in loans. All loans were marked as repaid from the entrepreneurs and Kiva repaid lenders to Kraban entrepreneurs.
Subsequently, Kraban did not send all the funds to Kiva, and a repayment plan between Kraban Support Foundation and Kiva was agreed upon. The repayment plan spanned from September 2007 to March 2009, through monthly installments.
Since November 2008, Kraban Support Foundation has been delinquent in its payments to Kiva in an amount close to $100,000. Kiva continues to pursue legal remedies with regard to collection of funds owed from Kraban Support Foundation.

Original description

Kraban Support Foundation (KSF) is a local development-oriented NGO with the aim of eradicating rural poverty through community education. The organization deeply shares a philosophy of commitment to help fight poverty by facilitating improved quality of human life in the communities in which they operate in Ghana.

Their mission is to develop innovative strategies and programs that enhance the capacity and productivity of vulnerable groups in their target deprived communities. Kraban Support Foundation\'s ultimate aim is to operate to enhance the access of small-scale entrepreneurs to sustainable financial services. The organization accomplishes this through strong and viable Cooperative Savings and Credit Societies (CSCS). The NGO facilitates savings-deposits and offers small-scale loans in addition to business development services in a cost effective and sustainable manner.

To provide lending, Kraban retails credit to clients in a linkage banking arrangement. However, the responsibility for loan appraisal and approval, entering into loan agreements, disbursement and loan recovery solely rest with their organization. Kraban sensitizes community-based groups through its Training, Education and Credit for Health (TEACH) methodology.