June Update from MUK for the Kiva lending team

Previously I wrote about the Kiva lending team for the microfinance institution MUK, where I am placed until July.

Members of the team get newsletters to this group that provide updates on MUK, borrowers, their businesses, and the greater Balinese community. This month, MUK wants to share a staff profile on Kiva Coordinator Pak Zeruya Lesmana.

I work a lot together with him- together we try to make the work that has to be done for having MUK loans funded by Kiva lenders as easy and good as possible.

Zeruya Lesmana
32 years old
Wife (Gusti Ayu Yulistriani) 2 children (Shinta Maharani, 11 years old, Maudy Ayunda, 3 years old)
7 year employee of MUK
Hometown: Blimbingsari

Why do you like working with MUK?

Because I can meet with many different people and help many of the people of the villages. I know the differences between the rich and poor villages and I am able to learn about the different areas. As a Christian, I am also happy to help the people of these villages through loans, but also through training and community support. For example, we help pig breeders with veterinary care. I also like to work with MUK because I get to meet with many people from all over the world and get great training on using the internet and in my English ability.

What is the hardest part of your job?

When the people do not pay their repayments, it can be very difficult to contact them and to tell them to make a repayment. As an organization, we must collect the money in order to remain in business, but it is hard to tell people to make repayments when they cannot. So, as a field officer, we must help them come up with solutions for making those repayments. Sometimes it can be very difficult.

What are your goals for MUK and its partnership with Kiva?

I want the partnership with Kiva to continue to go well. We will continue to do the best that we can to report all our repayments and complete all journals on time. Many of these tasks are no longer handled by MUK headquarters in Denpasar and are now being handled by our office here in Blimbingsari, so we want to make sure we do a very good job with all of our responsibilities and report all information accurately and on time.

What would you like the people of the world to know about the rural towns of Melaya and Blimbingsari (locations of regional branches for MUK)?

The most important thing to know is that Blimbingsari is the only 100% Christian village in Bali. This makes it very unique. This village used to be entirely jungle. It was started by only five people back in 1939. Together they walked up the west coast of Bali for five days until they decided to start the village here. Since then, many of the Christians in Bali have moved from other areas to live in this village.

What would you like to say to members of “Friends of Mitra Usaha Kecil”?

Thank you very much for your support. I hope many people will come to visit us in Blimbingsari and maybe we can have a fish barbeque!

If you would like to support our efforts further, consider funding one of our loans or spread the word about MUK and this lending team to your friends by sharing this link: www.kiva.org/team/friends_of_mitra_usaha_kecil.
Thank you for your support!

The interview was made by previous Kiva Fellow Nick Lewis— 10th Class

To add just a short note: Zeruya is working very hard for Kiva. Especially the recent changes in risk transfer (loans not covered by MUK anymore) and repayment reporting, are challenges that he takes with lots of enthusiasm and joy! His motivation to connect people around the world is sincere- I think you can feel this when you make a loan for MUK…