Annual Report (continued from p. 1)

have the software.  Bill Sherry and Yachaspa editor Ray Brown have gone that extra yard in filling the gaps.  Both are much more computer literate than I am and the increased efficiencies have allowed me to focus on other matters.

We have also been undergoing a transfer to a bona fide independent treasurer, Jim Olson.  One efficiency factor holding us back is that NPCA is not equipped to do electronic transfers of funds.  NPCA has reported that this will be changing as soon. They, however, seem to have budget problems every year which cause delays. We hope that by the end of 2003 we will be extensively using electronic transfers in our operations.  It will be great when our membership base reaches the point where we can use electronic transfers to sell Bolivian and Peruvian items off of our web site. This would cost another $25 a month with Earthlink, the e-mail service for
Amigos de Bolivia y Peru. (A lot of PCVs worked in developing arts and crafts only to have the marketing break down a year or so after there was no longer a PCV working on their marketing.)

Because of the virus, the web site for
Amigos de Bolivia y Peru was non-existent for a number of months.  Once again Bill Sherry stepped forward.  Although he works as much as twelve hours a day putting out Peace Corps On Line, Hugh Pickens also played a vital role in the transitions of Amigos de Bolivia y Peru during 2002.

Transitions anticipated for 2003 include the relationship with Alianza de Amistad, (Peru), the Bo

livian Women's Association (greater Washington, DC area) and careers focus.  Assuming that the recent returnees (1990-present for Bolivia and 2003 - for Peru.) are more computer literate than most of us, we need to increase their numbers in Amigos and continue decentralizing (spreading the work around) and increasing efficiencies at the same time.  Going from being a hands-on PCV to a member of what is largely an alumni association is somewhat deflating. RPCVs don't seem to start taking an interest in what we're about for ten to twenty years after their return. By focusing on careers, what we've learned and passing that along is one way of shortening the time before joining Amigos de Bolivia y Peru. One other change for 2002 is that before we relied heavily on NPCA for our recruitment, including the NPCA "free" members (recent returnees).  Bill Sherry and Kate McPeek now do this for Amigos.

No Kantuta Projects awards were made during 2001.  This money was used as a reserve for the SharePoint experiment.  We contributed $396 to Pro Mujer in the Puno and Juliaca areas of Peru.  $396 to Pro Mujer in four departments of Bolivia and $396 to FUNDESIB's soil conservation projects in ten villages of the Montero area between Cochabamba and Oruro.  We made contributions to these projects before.  Pro Mujer, founded in Bolivia in 1990, has provided training and credit to over 35,000 clients.  Over the last decade $45 million has been disbursed in loans and clients have saved $2.3 million.  In 1998 Pro Mujer Bolivia achieved 100% self-sufficiency, which compares fa

vorably with its peers in Latin America on the measures of productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Founded for two years in Peru, Pro Mujer is becoming established in Puno and Juliaca, along the shores of Lake Titicaca, working with women whose primary language is Quechua or Aymara.  Pro Mujer Peru has loaned more than $2.4 million to more than 10,000 clients.  These clients have an arrears rate of zero.

A problem
Amigos de Bolivia y Peru faces doing our own projects is that we waited too long.  Most of our working contacts in our host countries are dead or ancient.  Our project ideas are based on what we worked with decades ago.  Bringing recent returnees with fresh projects and contacts will have advantages in this regard.  Micro-credit for micro-enterprises is impressive.  More needs to be done that are sustainable at the next levels to give major boosts to the dynamics of economic niches.  This will involve more Intranet efficiencies and major fund raising of various forms to make a difference.  We don't have decades!

Fiscal Report

Income:
Dues:  $1709
Interest:  $      9
Donations:
$  240
Total  $1958
Expenses:
Regular  $1566
Kantuta             
$1188
Total                  $2754

(Balance $249--for transfer to Kantuta Projects and/or other special

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Volume 14, Issue 1

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