Microfinance Games Valuable for Learning
During much of the month of September, Training and PR Officer Ariuntuya Galbadrakh and Project Manager Altantuya Torbat from Micro-Economic Development program (supported by ADRA
Switzerland, ADRA Australia, ADRA New Zealand) traveled west from Ulaanbaatar to educate and motivate bank workers and Board and Committee members over three different trainings in two aimags.
They traveled first to Zavkhan Aimag where they met American Peace Corps Volunteer Nathan Chamberlain, who then traveled back with them for the second training at his Bayankhongor field office.
During the three-day Board and Committee trainings, participants were inspired by active learning and received tools they can put straight to use in their businesses. The most productive and instructive activity was an afternoon business game that pitted teams in different businesses against each other through a mock, month-long scenario of negotiations, production of goods, loans and also “unexpected setbacks”. Bank personnel also played this game during their one-day training in Bayankhongor, which gave them insight and relevant experience, working directly with micro-enterprises as they themselves were the owners. The games were a great learning experience for all involved.
The 36 women and 2 men from 9 Zavkhan soums, and the 41 women and 6 men representing 11 Bayankhongor soums at the Board and Committee trainings also received instruction on a range of topics covering the intrinsic rewards and responsibilities of being chosen as a representative, cooperative structures, and conflict management techniques. Members also made quarterly goals that included detailed action plans.
In Zavkhan, where the MED program has 70 Self Help Groups (SHGs), the attendees were energetic, showed up early every time and displayed a great cooperative spirit. In Bayankhongor, which has 72 SHG’s, the training staff were challenged to manage a small meeting room, but despite close quarters and fast-paced, heavy topics, the Board and Committee members remained engaged throughout the training. Participants left the trainings feeling energized, with new skills and ideas that they were excited to share with their groups.
