Result of an Impact Assessment

An impact assessment of the ASA microfinance programs has recently been carried out from the ASA Research and Documentation Cell. The assessment covered the long-term members, we continued minimum 3 years membership (from 2005 to 2007), in the credit program of ASA.

The assessment was carried out to gauge the impact of the ASA microfinance programs in the lives of its clients, that is, changes brought about in their day-to-day lives through utilization of microfinance facilities provided by ASA.

With a view to selecting a sample size, multi-stage sampling of management units from the administrative divisions to members has been done. From all of the 6 administrative divisions of Bangladesh, 12 districts were taken by selecting 2 districts from each division. Then 4 ASA branches from each district were selected. Among the branches, 2 were taken from rural and 2 from urban areas. 4 Loan Officers from each branch were taken, i.e., 4x48=192 Loan Officers were selected and 4 groups of each Loan Officer were taken. At this 4x192 = 768 Groups came under the study. Each group has 20 members on average, that is, 768 x 20= 15,360 members in total. 5 (25%) Members from each Group, i.e. 5x768 = 3,840 Members were taken as the sample size.

• Selection process: Members were selected for interview through a systematic sampling of odd numbers such as 1, 3,5,7,9 and so on.
• Method of data collection: Interview method (individual) and tool for data collection was structured questionnaire.
• Time: September to December 2007.

Impact of credit & Savings Program

Business Capital

ASA implements its microfinance programs with the objective to reduce poverty of the poor and make them self-reliant. Along with the savings and credit amount, members’ business capital has increased gradually through years. According to the findings of the study the business capital of 3,269 (85.13%) members have increased, but it was negative in the case of 571 (14.87%).

Income through Income Generation Activities (IGAs)

Clients use their loans in various income generating activities (IGAs). Through its implementation, they have been successful in increasing their income during the last years. The findings of the assessment reveal that about 3,352 (87.29%) out of the total 3840 clients have agreed that their income have increased. Only 488 (12.71%) said that they have failed to increase their respective incomes. Findings of the assessment reflect that in 2005, their monthly income on average was Tk.4,778/-. The amount increased in 2006 and became Tk.6,731/-. Next year, in 2007, the amount of income further increased and stood at Tk.10,384/-. From the data it was found that their income has increased by Tk.1,953/- and Tk.3,653/- in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Food Quality

On the question of quality of food about 3,330 (86.72%) of the respondents reported that the quality of food intake has improved in their family. It has been possible due to increase in income through proper use of loans in IGAs. About 510 (13.28%) answered that they were not able to improve the quality of food in the family.

Education

About 3,207 (83.52%) of the clients agreed that the rate of literacy has increased among them. But 633 (16.48%) of the responding clients opined that the rate of literacy did not increase.

Employment Generation

Among the respondents about 3,413 (88.88%) stated that they were able to create employment opportunities for others at their projects. But 427 (11.12%) participants said that they could not.

Treatment

The group members of ASA have become more aware of their health. With gradual increase in their income they are found visiting the doctors more often to seek medical treatment. Findings of the assessment reveal that the percentage of going to the doctor increased gradually during the last three years, that is, 83.33% in 2005, 89.77% in 2006 and 96.74% in 2007.

Drinking Water

Through the assessment it was found that the percentage of Clients taking fresh water have increased during the last three years. In 2005 this percentage was 85.78%, in 2006 it became 93.02% and in 2007 it was 96.02%.

Sanitation

It was found that the percentage of the users of sanitary and pit pucca latrines among the clients have increased year by year. In 2005 the percentage was 60.23%, in 2006 it was 71.79% and in 2007 the percentage was 80.16%.

Asset Increase

The Clients were asked whether their family assets have been increased or not. About 49.95% informed that they could increase their landed property; about 57.71% said that the number of their domestic animals increased and 41.88% reported that they could increase their ornaments.

Dwelling House Condition

The responding clients reported that condition of their dwelling houses have improved considerably. Data shows that the percentages of increasing number were 15.26% and 26.41% respectively in 2005. In 2006, their percentages were 19.38% and 32.53%. In 2007, the percentages further increased and stood at 23.18% and 35.42% respectively. On the other hand, the percentages of thatched house of those years have decreased gradually. These have been 58.33%, 48.10% and 41.41% in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.

House Type	2005	2006	2007
Building	15.26%	19.38%	23.18%
Tin Shed Building	26.41%	32.53%.	35.42%
Thatched House	58.33%,	48.10%	41.41%