I recently spent a week in Cambodia with two colleagues conducting a review of our microfinance institution partner, TPC (Thaneakea Phum Campbodia).  The review was of TPC’s approach to meeting new standards of Client Protection Principles (CPP). CPP is the new ‘big thing’ in microfinance, and is being driven by the Smart Campaign.    Good...

In the world of international development, change tends to take time. Many individual microfinance borrowers have stories about how their lives have changed, but achieving tangible and visible changes in living standards in a community can be slow going, and microfinance is just one of many contributors to that process. Basic infrastructure (such as roads, water and...

Hello! I’m Joni, the Digital Marketing Coordinator here at Good Return. Usually, I get to edit photos and tell stories that are passed on to me from our program team – the hard-working and talented folks who travel to our partner countries to help in the coordination of Good Return’s programs (microfinance, education, sustainable energy, and our newest program,...

In our line of work, there are often discussions around the real benefits of microfinance for low-income households. And it’s true that in some parts of the world, microfinance has questionable outcomes. But when you’re facing the beneficiaries of microfinance services and listening to their stories, doubts about the benefits of microfinance completely...

You may have seen the lovely face of Apsara on many of our Christmas communications and graphics. We thought it was about time to share her story! Read the whole article for a video at the end… Apsara (34) of Nepal is the mother of two. Her husband, Ramesh, is a teacher at the local high school. They are financially secure, and have a comfortable home which...

Kalati is from the ‘Alakifonua centre in Tonga. She retails products that her daughter is able to send her from America, and also uses her loan from SPBD (Good Return’s partner microfinance institution in Tonga and Fiji) to buy more stock for the shop. Her daughter also sends her small amounts of money, as Kalati takes care of her children while she is overseas...