KIF – East Timor
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KIF started in 2001 as a micro-credit program of the organization “Save the Children Federation (SCF).” It was in 2002 that the NGO emerged with the aim to provide microfinance and allied services for a large number of poor in a sustainable and regulated manner to improve the quality of lives of families and empower women. Their vision: “The prosperity of the new nation depends on the prosperity of the most important component of the society – the family.”
The MFI is based in Dili, the capital of East Timor. This country became independent in 2002 and has faced several periods of political instability. Nearly half of the population lives below the poverty line. Financial services are still underdeveloped with only banks present in 8 of the 13 regions of the country.
KIF has currently 14 branches located throughout the territory of the country and some agencies are supported by “village centre’s”. These are temporary service points established for the most remote villages. The MFI grants individual loans to a target group composed by female micro-entrepreneurs in rural areas. 99% of the loans are dedicated to income generating activities, mostly in agriculture. The institution also offers housing loans for the improvement of the habitat.
