Field Officer Appreciation Awards
Each year the Foundation invites partner organizations to participate in the Field Officer Appreciation Awards to honor their field staff who are working directly with entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers.
Field officers often travel daily to the homes of their clients as a key part of building a bond with the entrepreneurs helping to ensure their success. This means long days in the field, unexpected dangers or obstacles and putting in overtime to help a client that may need some extra mentorship or support to succeed.
The Foundation specifically invites each partner organization to nominate their top field staff for this award. All winners receive certificates and cash prizes.
Asia & Pacific Region Winners
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Karunainathan Vinoth joined BMIC in 2019 as a Micro Investment Facilitator. He got two promotions and currently working as a Micro Investment Adviser at the Chenkalady branch in Batticaloa District, where he manages 837 borrowers with a loan portfolio of LKR 78,617,258 (approximately USD 262,693).
In their own words: “It gives me immense happiness to see my clients succeed and lead happy lives through microfinance solutions. For instance, Mrs. Mehala, who lives in Thanamunai village and earns a modest income by making and selling mixer products, came to me for her first loan. She also received Financial Literacy training, IYB (Record Keeping) training, and participated in exposure visits, all of which have helped improve her business. She now employs four women in her business. From her monthly income, she fully supports the educational needs of her children, who are in Grades 12 and 7, as well as other family expenses. Being in a position to provide such microfinance support and witnessing my clients transform their lives—like Mrs. Mehala—brings me great joy.”
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Since 2019, Lo Thi Thao has been a Credit Community Officer at the Muong Ang branch in Dien Bien province — a region known for its rugged area and persistent challenges, including a poverty rate of 29.41%. Thao refused to yield by going door-to-door, bringing compassion and persistence into every conversation.
In their own words: “In charge of this new commune, I found many difficulties in both increasing partners and the tough conditions. However, I receive much support from my colleagues and my family so I can concentrate on my work. Every challenge I face now feels manageable, knowing that even small efforts can lead to a big, meaningful impact. Receiving this award from Whole Foods Market Foundation has helped me [maintain] my endurance and motivated me to work harder to deserve this award.”
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Mithun Kumar joined SUPPORT’s Khidirpur branch in Rajshahi district on September 1, 2024, and has quickly proven himself to be an exceptional field officer. His dedication is evident in his daily 12 to 15-kilometer journeys by boat and foot to reach remote areas and meet with clients and new borrowers. His commitment has led to the successful introduction of seasonal loan products that address specific financial needs, promoting food security and financial resilience.
In their own words: “I am honored to serve the Char communities through SUPPORT and Whole Foods Market Foundation. The resilience [of my clients] inspires me daily, and it’s deeply fulfilling to help turn their hopes into real opportunities. Every step I take feels worthwhile when I see their progress.”
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Ms. Pham Thi Hien joined TYM in 2018 and currently serves as a Technical Officer at TYM’s Thai Binh Branch, managing 699 clients. Despite commuting 30 kilometers daily through all weather conditions, she demonstrates unwavering resilience and a strong commitment to supporting women in remote areas.
In their own words: “As a TYM officer, I believe our role is not only to offer loans, but to deliver hope, trust, and a better future for vulnerable women. Every success story of a client overcoming hardship is a real, lasting value—and a joy that fuels my commitment.”
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Saraswati joined Kalpavriksha Greater Goods in 2023, and in just two years, she has grown into a vital pillar of the field team and Suryamukhi (Women Entrepreneur). She manages a women entrepreneurs' network of 200 clients by providing support to keep their accounting, manage cash flow, help collect outstanding credit, deliver financial literacy training, maintain financial records, and support customers through after-sales services.
In their own words: “For the past two years, I’ve been dedicated to empowering women in remote regions of Nepal. I help them build confidence and independence through skills like financial literacy, bookkeeping, cash and credit management, and business operations. I also assist them in providing after-sales services to their customers. These skills not only strengthen their businesses but also enhance their self-worth and influence in their homes and communities. It’s truly an amazing opportunity, and I’m deeply grateful to be a part of it.”
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Saw Paing Khant Oo has been with SOTH Microfinance since 2017. He works as a "Senior Field Officer" responsible for the Twantay (Twantay township, Yangon) branch. He has managed to establish good communication with beneficiaries and has been able to achieve the best portfolio quality simultaneously.
In their own words: “One of my beneficiaries had a business that focused solely on growing betel. I advise him to grow seasonal vegetables in order to diversify business and increase revenue. [Since then, he began using his profits to raise a single pig, proving that my suggestion was effective. His pig farm is currently expanding to include six piglets.”
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Yamone Nwe, Credit Officer at the Thazi Branch of BRAC Myanmar Microfinance Company Limited, has exemplified dedication and resilience since joining the organization in 2022. Yamone has maintained an excellent portfolio while managing over 600 clients.
In their own words: “As a proud representative of BRAC, Yamone believes that building inclusive societies begins with recognizing and nurturing the potential of every individual. She views microfinance institutions like BRAC Myanmar MFCL as crucial agents of this change, bridging opportunity gaps and empowering marginalized groups. Yamone takes deep pride in her role, working for an organization that champions diversity and actively promotes inclusive community development.”
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Dipendra has been with Nirdhan for over 10 years now, serving at Sripur Branch, Parsa since 2023.
In their own words: “Nirdhan Utthan – uplifting poor economically and socially – is the best institution in the industry contributing significantly towards poverty reduction and women empowerment. The institution’s regular effort to develop its clients as well as staff has ensured efficient operation with modest office setting, including at its head office. This modesty and simplicity is binding me in serving the Nirdhan clients morally in the rural field.”
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Asril Pandi is a field officer who manages 227 clients in Bener Meriah Branch, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Pandi, his nickname, has worked in KOMIDA since 2019.
In his own words: “When I visited my clients’ home in Bener Meriah Branch, I found many clients to have inadequate sanitation, such as they did not have a septic tank. I decide to prioritize the socialization about sanitation loan in KOMIDA. I know that the sanitation is important and this loan can help my clients to have their own toilet with septic tank.”
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Mrs. Tempa Zangmo joined RMF in 2017 and is currently serving as a loan officer at the Thimphu Branch. She manages a total of 2,538 clients and 370 borrowers. Despite serving a diverse client base from both rural and urban backgrounds, her strong work ethic, dedication, and innovative approach have been effective.
In their own words: “When I first joined RENEW Microfinance in 2017 as a Field Officer, I never imagined how deeply fulfilling this journey would become. Now serving as a Loan Officer and having worked across various branches throughout the country, I find great joy and satisfaction in delivering our products and services to clients. Being able to support their growth, especially through financial literacy, gives real meaning to my work. Traveling to some of the most remote villages, learning from the people, and interacting with them has not only enriched my knowledge but also strengthened my commitment to making a difference in their lives.”
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Ms. Sing Inthavong has been a dedicated Field Officer at WFDF’s Borlikhan Branch since 2017. She manages 393 deposit clients and 221 loan clients, maintaining an outstanding portfolio. Her strong performance, deep community knowledge, and effective outreach have made her an invaluable asset to the organization, significantly contributing to WFDF’s success.
In their own words: “I’m deeply honored to be part of WFDF, where my commitment, hard work, and responsibility allows me to help women in my community access financial services and improve their lives. Their strength and determination inspire me daily. I’m also grateful to the management team for supporting my growth and providing opportunities for personal and professional development, even in the face of challenges. As a TYM officer, I believe our role is not only to offer loans, but to deliver hope, trust, and a better future for vulnerable women. Every success story of a client overcoming hardship is a real, lasting value—and a joy that fuels my commitment.”
Latin America & Caribbean Region Winners
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Ferney joined the Acceso Colombia team in September 2024 as an agricultural technician working with producers in the Department of Córdoba. Thanks to his support, around 40 female producers have ventured into sweet potato cultivation, a crop with great potential both locally and internationally, diversifying their traditional crops and achieving yields that have allowed them to significantly improve their quality of life.
In their own words: "Working with small producers gives me satisfaction when I see their crops achieve good yields, which guarantees their food security in the short and medium term. I always encourage them to continue with their agricultural activities, as I believe that humanity's future is in the hands of those who work in the fields. As an extension worker, I value the social aspect of my work, since it is crucial to support producers so they can trust in their work. An experience that filled me with satisfaction was seeing the happiness of the women in the group when they received their profits, which made me feel that I was fulfilling my objective of improving their quality of life."
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Since 2020, Carlos García has led the Camino Verde program in Loreto, Peru, as regional coordinator. He led the growth of our pilot program with five families in one native community to reach over 140 families in 11 native communities. He is an inspiration to his colleagues and a respected ally to the communities where Camino Verde works.
In their own words: "In my role as coordinator of agroforestry projects with Camino Verde, I have seen major changes in the indigenous families we work with. In these five years of intervention, the families have acquired and implemented important agroforestry concepts in their plots, such as not using agrochemicals, not burning their plots before sowing, managing the planted plants properly and breeding native stingless bees sustainably. Thanks to this new knowledge, families are seeing their incomes increase thanks to the sale of rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) biomass and native stingless honey, which makes me content and proud."
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Marlon Marín started working at PAC, S.A. as a Loan Officer at the end of 2022. His commitment and dedication has allowed him to manage 253 loans in the last two years, in rural areas located in the municipality of Santa María de Pantasma, department of Jinotega. Through these loans, he has helped small producers in the communities improve their implementation of good agricultural practices, so that they can have better production yields and increase the income of these families.
In their own words:"I am currently working at the Santa María de Pantasma branch. I have been in this position for more than two years, through which I have supported more than 140 clients by providing them with access to financial services and techniques to improve their crops. I am a native of the area, so I am very happy to be able to contribute to the growth of small producers and improve the living conditions of families in my municipality.”
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Nallely has been a leader in the communities of Chiapas state for more than 10 years, knows about coffee, and has the gift of speech to promote credits and strengthen people's savings. In the last 3 years, she has served more than 330 people, mostly women coffee producers.
In their own words: "I take pleasure in working with people from rural communities. I propose timely solutions according to needs and I build trust among people in decision-making that benefits the development of farming families."
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Marlenny has worked with Friendship Bridge since 2022, at the Cobán branch as a Trust-Bank field officer. A single mother, she has transformed her life through the opportunities provided by Friendship Bridge. Once living in poverty, she has built a thriving business with 300 clients. Marlenny expanded her network, joined the education program, and ensured her son received a quality education.
In their own words: "I am proud to be a good example for my clients and to be able to support my family with a job I am passionate about."
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For the past 9 years, Lizandro has been a financial advisor at Coopac Norandino, always working in rural microfinance at the San Ignacio Office. Despite being distant from his family, he has managed to balance his various responsibilities. Currently, he serves 332 members with individual loans, mostly small coffee producers.
In their own words: “I feel comfortable at Norandino, as my effort and dedication are accompanied by benefits that allow me to balance my professional, personal, and family life. The positive work environment reinforces my commitment not only to mutual help with my colleagues but also impacts the satisfaction of the members we serve. It's a great satisfaction to contribute to improving their lives.”
West Africa, Middle East, and North Africa Region Winners
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Abdullahi has consistently been at the forefront of our outgrower program, especially in the onboarding and training of farmers. His dedication to his work stems from a genuine appreciation for the support being provided to smallholder farmers. Coming from a farming background himself, he deeply understands their challenges and can personally relate to the relief and opportunities our program brings.
In their own words: "I deeply value Rashak’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. I have witnessed this dedication firsthand, having interviewed many farmers who share their realities with me. They often note that, unlike other companies that prioritize themselves over the farmers, Rashak maintains a truly farmer-centric approach in all its activities, and that is something I greatly appreciate."
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Over the past four years, Daniel has consistently gone above and beyond in supporting farmer organizations. He has been instrumental to the organization achieving 100% loan repayment for three consecutive years, demonstrating his ability to drive accountability and sustainability.
In their own words: "Coming from a community that was destroyed [by violence], I know what it means to lose everything. Today, being able to support farmers who have also lost their land, livestock, and livelihoods to rebuild and stand on their feet again gives me deep fulfillment. Every time I see a cooperative grow, make profit and move closer to sustainability, I feel proud that together we are restoring hope where it was once lost."
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Denise Bérété is a committed facilitator who is available to both beneficiaries and her colleagues at the agency. In the field, she takes the time to advise her beneficiaries so that they can make the most of the activities financed by microcredit. Through the services she provides on behalf of Wakili in the locality, she feels invested with a mission to help her community grow economically and socially.
In their own words: “I enjoy leadership, guiding the communities I work with, and I am currently working to bring about behavioral change. Indeed, my satisfaction comes from seeing my community become more empowered, especially the most vulnerable people. Thanks to the training I provided, they have been able to diversify and increase their income-generating activities. To date, this is my greatest source of pride.”
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In 2022, Finnah I Conteh joined Munafa Social Microfinance as Field Officer in Branch Four, Waterloo. She was managing a portfolio of 16 dynamic groups with approximately 373 active borrowers and she is currently working as an Field Officer-in charge at the Bolima community. Her work goes beyond providing financial services, as she empowers vulnerable entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers through training in financial literacy, social empowerment, sustainable agriculture, and environmental practices.
In their own words: “Working with vulnerable clients, such as traders and smallholder farmers, has had a profound impact on both my life and theirs. Each day, I see how providing loans and financial services empowers individuals who lack access to traditional banking. For them, even a small loan can make a significant difference, offering stability and enabling business growth while boosting local economies.”
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Hoja Ceesay is a regular, punctual, hardworking and dedicated officer and was able to reactivate dormant groups under her portfolio. Her commitment and willingness to empower rural women has given her an edge over her colleague
In their own words: “I am glad to work with rural women especially the vulnerable communities who find it difficult to access cash to run their businesses, by providing credit and financial education to women so they can run their business smartly. I also like working as a team, sharing knowledge and experience which always makes the work easier and more effective. I am glad to work with Reliance Financial Services because it exposed me to work with rural communities and impacting their lives positively.”
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Mathilda has gone above and beyond to make high value crops like moringa accessible to young women farmers, who are often excluded from the value chain. She led the charge to recruit 1200 women 18-35 and to train them in cultivating moringa and supported the formation of over 40 Village Savings & Loan Associations to teach young women financial literacy and to build community wealth and power.
In their own words: “As a steward of the land and a voice for our farmers, I stand by moringa - not just as a crop, but as a key to sustainable livelihoods, nutrition security, and regenerative farming. When we invest in moringa, we invest in our soil, our health, and our future.”
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Musa was selected because he is a consistent, strong leader in the field. He is reliable with his work and has excellent communication skills with his co-workers and farmers. As a result of his hard work and dedication, Musa holds a lot of respect within the communities he serves.
In their own words: “I was born in this community, so I understand the problems and obstacles our farmers face. We are sensitive to their challenges and I love to use my time and effort to improve their lives. This year we helped over 300 farmers to grow and sell cowpeas in the big city and opened a new market which thousands of farmers will benefit from in the future. It is a great honor to serve and positively impact the community I was born in. FOOP has given us all the tools necessary to create this change."
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Mustapha Ibrahim is a shining example of dedication and commitment in his role as an extension officer at Farm On Wheels. As he often says, 'HARD WORK PAYS,' a philosophy that drives him to deliver exceptional results in every task assigned to him. With a strong passion for creating impact in his community, Mustapha has been instrumental in connecting with farmers across Nasarawa state, bringing smiles to low-income earners especially women and youths and fostering a sense of belonging.
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Espérance Nduwayezu is an outstanding field officer who has achieved remarkable results in just two years. When she started, she worked with 250 farmers; today she supports 575 farmers, thanks to her ability to inspire trust and keep farmers engaged even during difficult times. Despite challenges like fuel shortages affecting fertilizer distribution and unpredictable rains, Espérance reassured farmers, encouraged them to attend trainings, and regularly joined them in their fields during planting season.
In their own words: “I am grateful to One Acre Fund for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to serve farmers as a field officer in my community. Before joining, I didn’t know the best farming techniques. But through the training I received, I not only taught them to the farmers I work with, but applied them on my own farm. The results were life-changing: I harvested 2 tonnes of maize, when before I never produced more than 200 kilograms. Besides, what makes me most proud is that my work has also transformed the lives of the farmers I serve. Every day, I wake up early to support families who used to struggle to grow enough food.”
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Josiane is the kind of leader who not only meets expectations but consistently exceeds them. She has a great ability to identify challenges before they become problems and propose creative, well-thought-out solutions without being asked. Her ability to manage her time effectively and stay focused on priorities, all while maintaining a positive and resilient attitude, is inspiring.
In their own words: “As a Business Coach Team Leader in Gakenke, I am passionate about working with rural communities and committed to fulfilling Kula’s mission of eradicating poverty through the development of entrepreneurs in Rwanda’s coffee communities. It brings me great joy to see fellows, who start with nothing, build thriving businesses that transform their livelihoods and lift their families out of poverty. Hearing their success stories motivates me every day and reinforces why I love the work I do.”
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Rebecca joined BRAC Liberia in October 2022, fresh out of high school, with little to no prior knowledge of Microfinance. She quickly distinguished herself as one of the most detail-oriented, fast-learning, and disciplined employees in her branch. Her passion for her work, coupled with her resilience and humility, set her apart as an employee with exceptional potential. Rebecca’s performance in the field speaks volumes. She currently manages 16 large groups, totaling 368 active clients.
In their own words: “I find value and confidence in my work as a field officer at BRAC because, before I began my job at BRAC as a field officer, I had no experience in microfinance and working with groups, I was doing farming work after I graduated from high school. But in 2020, I decided to take a loan from BRAC and and invest in my Agricultural business it was when a field officer of BRAC told me that there was a new job opportunity that BRAC.”
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Since joining the Lebanese Association for Development – Al Majmoua in 2017, Rim has become a driving force in empowering families across the Bekaa region. Based in the Ferzol branch, she manages a diverse portfolio of more than 400 clients.
In their own words: “Every loan I give is more than money, it’s hope. It’s the chance for a woman to believe in her abilities, for a father to secure his children’s future, and for a family to rebuild their dignity. I’ve learned that with the right support, even the smallest loan can spark the biggest change in someone’s life.”
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In post since March 2022, Balkissa works as a facilitator in Pabré, one of YIKRI's rural agencies. Despite an illiteracy rate of over 90% among beneficiaries, she manages to effectively convey essential concepts. As soon as she took up her position, she rigorously reorganized the groups she inherited from a former facilitator, improving their functioning and cohesion.
In their own words: “I am determined, thanks to the vision, mission, and values in achieving YIKRI's objectives, to ensure the success of the institution's activities and the satisfaction of its beneficiaries. I work in hard-to-reach areas located more than 15 km from the agency. During the winter, I faced flooding in my area of operation, but that never stopped me from continuing my activities. I have been congratulated by my institution's managers for my results.”
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In the REAP for Climate Resilience program, Dominic has been mentoring 46 Business Groups comprising 138 participants and entrepreneurs, as well as 7 Saving Groups in Kakuma 2, guiding them from vulnerable beginnings to thriving business owners. His mentees have achieved the highest savings rates within the Kakuma Office, showing strong business growth and improved household resilience.
In their own words: “What keeps me going is seeing real change. Like when a woman who couldn’t even feed her family now runs an environmentally friendly business and saves every week, that’s powerful. I don’t mind staying after hours to sit with groups that are struggling because I know that extra time makes a difference. For me, it’s about seeing people grow confident and build better lives for their families.”
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Toman lives in villages and towns, working closely with farmers to collect data, ensure they are prepared for harvest, and understand the purchase schedule. He also educates farmers on the prices of cassava, Gari, and soybeans. Often, Toman spends weeks with the farmers, helping them get ready for the sale of their crops.
In their own words: “One of the things I enjoy most about my work is seeing the impact it creates in the communities we serve. In 2023, I met a 19-year-old young woman in labor in Ziah, Nimba County. The local clinic had closed, and she needed to travel to the referral hospital to give birth safely. Knowing that I worked with Kawadah and that we purchased crops from the community, she asked if we could buy her cassava ahead of schedule so she could afford the trip. We purchased about $50 USD)worth of cassava from her. The very next morning, she delivered her baby safely at Tappita Hospital. Today, that child is two years old, and every time I see them in the village, it fills me with joy and reminds me why I truly value the work I do.”
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Over the past two years, Clarisse has successfully added 117 new borrowers, reflecting her strong ability to expand outreach and drive business growth. Equally commendable is her exemplary portfolio management; since joining, she has consistently maintained zero overdue clients in both 2024 and 2025.
In their own words: “The key to controlling overdue lies in the relationships I build with my clients. By maintaining genuine friendships, they stay committed to my groups and even motivate their friends and neighbors to join BRAC. Together, we create a supportive network where clients help me identify reliable new members. Before disbursement, I take time to talk with them, ensuring we bring in trustworthy clients and avoid future risks.”
East and Southern Africa Region Winners
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As a Loan Officer at the Hargeisa Branch, Abdirahman manages a portfolio with 380 clients, 57% of which are group loans, while maintaining an inclusive rate of 80% female clients.
In their own words: “One of the most rewarding moments in my work was supporting a women’s group to open their own shop. When they first came to me, they were hesitant and unsure about taking a group loan. I guided them through planning and helped them understand our policies. Now they run a thriving business, send their children to school, and have improved their families’ livelihoods. Experiences like this remind me that success is not just about numbers but about creating lasting change that helps a few clients gain confidence, independence, and hope for the future.”
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Alain (Tantely) has demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact in supporting and managing a network of more than 15 franchisees in the Bongolava region of Madagascar. Through his consistent coaching and hands-on training, he has helped Jiro-Ve franchisees deliver high-quality solar kit rental services to vulnerable households, enabling over 8,000 people to gain access to safe and reliable electricity.
In their own words: “Electricity is a fundamental need, and I’m proud to contribute to bringing it to every household. By providing clean and sustainable energy (solar), my work helps improve community health, reduce household expenses, and protect our environment.”
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Alex has performed exceptionally well, as he managed to exceed the targets set for both disbursement and repayment. He ensured that his clients were fully familiarized with the loan terms and provided them with extension services to support improved harvests.
In their own words: “My approach is built on a foundation of passion and balance. By managing my time effectively and staying adaptable focus on building genuine partnerships with our farmers. I believe that quick, flexible responses to clients need combined with strong teamwork and a willingness to learn from every challenge are what truly drive my success.”
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Amelework Seifu is nominated for her exceptional performance and resilience as a Customer service officer since joining Buusaa Gonofaa Microfinance in 2009. Working in the challenging Salale region, she is a top performer who expertly manages a group loan portfolio of 764 clients.
In their own words: “I derive immense satisfaction from positively influencing the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers and petty traders. Although these clients initially struggle with accessing financial services and collateral for credit, I address this by utilizing doorstep group lending and introductory training sessions. A major personal contribution has been offering financial literacy training, especially to women farmers, which has empowered them to understand, access, and effectively use credit and savings. Furthermore, I support their market access by connecting borrowers with milk aggregators for their produce. My continuous motivation stems from seeing the tangible progress these low-income customers achieve in their lives."
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Ana Mirsa Venâncio is a Credit Manager at the Massinga Branch, Inhambane Province. She has been an AfricaWorks employee since 2016. She has a total of 534 clients and has dedicated the necessary time to assisting her clients and monitoring their business, which allows her to have an excellent client repayment rate.
In their own words: “I feel happy working at AfricaWorks, helping disadvantaged communities improve their living conditions, realizing their dreams, growing their businesses, educating their children, acquiring assets and homes. Helping to bring dignities to disadvantaged populations is rewarding. My happiness is even greater because, thanks to this job, I was able to build my own house and pay for my son's education.”
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Despite more than 50,000 families in Tanzania relying on cocoa as an income source, there has been precious little work done on cocoa agronomy in the country prior to Kokoa Kamili setting up an agronomy team. After Annanias joined the team as the head agronomist, he jump-started the program and grew it from 500 farmers trained to 5,000 farmers.
In their own words: “Since I joined Kokoa Kamili, what makes me most proud is when farmers who attended my training sessions two years ago now instruct their neighbors in the same organic methods. I know we're not just buying cocoa when I see that information begins to naturally spread from farmer to farmer. The knowledge is expanding like cocoa trees! We are sowing seeds of hope that continue to grow long, and that is why I will never stop doing this work.”
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Eunice Chebitok joined Fresh Life in 2023 as a Sales Associate and immediately demonstrated outstanding performance. She’s maintained exceptional consistency by ensuring her monthly targets were closed by the third week, enabling her to achieve annual expectations.
In their own words: “I am proud to serve my community by improving sanitation. Each day, I walk from plot to plot, educating residents on the importance of hygienic facilities. Through these conversations, I help families access dignified sanitation solutions, saving them emotional strain and the costs of treating sanitation-related illnesses. In a small city, every interaction matters, and seeing the relief and smiles when households install our toilets motivates me to keep going and continue supporting their well-being.”
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In just over a year, Saídia has progressed from intern to Client Relationship Officer for group lending, taking responsibility for a challenging portfolio that serves some of the most vulnerable clients in northern Mozambique. Today, she manages 253 clients organized in 63 groups.
She has consistently demonstrated professionalism, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility towards the low-income women and families she accompanies. Her day-to-day work goes far beyond processing applications and repayments. Saídia spends much of her time in the field, identifying potential clients in the communities, listening to their stories and helping them to form cohesive groups of five to six members.
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Temistocles Rwegasila has demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and leadership during one of the most challenging periods our coastal programs have ever faced. His ability to remain present for communities, despite abrupt program disruptions, relocations, and shifting priorities sets him apart as an extraordinary field officer whose commitment goes far beyond the call of duty.
In their own words: “When I look back at the Africa Fair Seaweed Finance Facility, I see the resilience of our communities reflected in every VSLA group we formed. Helping seaweed farmers access finance was not just about numbers, it was about dignity, about mothers being able to support their families and young people finding hope in sustainable livelihoods. Transitioning into the Matumbawe-Hai project, I’ve witnessed how co-management, habitat restoration, and eco-tourism can transform coastal villages. For me, the greatest value in this work is seeing communities take ownership of their future, strengthening resilience through their own leadership and collective action.’’
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Theresia joined Engishon Microfinance as Data Analyst in early 2025 and has significantly improved monitoring and evaluation capabilities across the business. As a Field Officer, Theresia also travels extensively to our branches, despite their remote locations, to evaluate clients and support credit officers.
In their own words: “I managed to visit all the rural areas where Engishon Microfinance operates to assess how Engishon’s products are improving women’s livelihoods in pastoralist communities. I also convinced several women who were still struggling with difficult loans from other microfinance institutions to join Engishon after they saw how well their peers were progressing with Engishon’s products.I encouraged Engishon beneficiaries to move from small starter loans to second-level loans and successfully helped to build a spirit of assertiveness among pastoralist women, motivating them to commit to stronger businesses so they can move beyond dependency. I am very proud to see what they have achieved in such a short time.”
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Umali has been pivotal in advancing the Tree Parenting Project under GGEM Farming. He has taken full leadership of the tree nursery operations, personally overseeing day-to-day supervision to ensure that all seedlings are healthy, well-nurtured, and mature enough to achieve a higher survival rate once they reach farmers’ fields. Tree survival has historically been one of our greatest challenges, yet Umali’s careful management and commitment to strengthening seedling health have significantly improved outcomes.
In their own words: “I enjoy working with farmers and with trees. It makes me happy to see the trees grow well and to see farmers succeed. When I visit a farmer and they show me how a fruit tree we planted together is growing and helping their family, it encourages me to keep going. I feel proud knowing that my work can make a small but real difference. Helping farmers find new options, like fruit trees, is exciting for me, and seeing their progress gives me energy every day.”
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Wycliff has demonstrated unparalleled commitment and dedication towards his work. He introduced a very successful mukando system in Goromonzi, which has since been adopted company‑wide as a blueprint. In doing so, he trained other loan officers on how to run a successful mukando.
In their own words: “There is an unbridled joy that swells when witnessing women shatter barriers and soar to new heights through group dynamics, business support and financial literacy trainings.”
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This year, Zawadi achieved an impressive collection of 62,000 kg of honeycombs, ensured the successful colonization of all loaned beehives, and established 3 active Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups that empowered local farmers, especially women and youth.
In their own words: ”Seeing farmers improve their income through modern beekeeping gives me great pride. One farmer I trained now earns enough from her hives to support her family. Moments like these remind me that our work is changing lives, not just producing honey.”