Sichuan Pharmacy

"One of the main fieldwork projects I’ve been involved in has been one in which we’re giving out cash grants to a number of particularly impoverished rural farmers..."

- Former Field Intern Jennifer Brown (Fall/Winter 2009)

 

Microfinance Field Internship Database

 PlaNet Finance Field Internship Placement Database

The Chinese microfinance industry has been relatively behind the rest of the developing world due to many issues. Besides the local caps to interest rates, limited capital, no legal status, etc., Chinese microfinance institutions (MFI) have been isolated from the international microfinance industry. This is mainly due to their remote locations, lack of English skills or underdeveloped communication mechanisms with international industries (such as websites, newsletters, etc.). In addition to these issues, the Chinese microfinance industry lacks human resources capacity: there are few to no international microfinance experts that are able to speak Chinese and who also possess a good understanding of China’s microfinance market.

As part of our Sectorial Support Program mandate to help propel future growth in the industry, PlaNet Finance China is helping to create a link between the international community and Chinese MFIs through an internship database. Our MFI database contains information of partner MFIs interested in hosting international volunteers for periods of 2 to 6 months.

During his/her stay in a rural area of China, the intern will gain exposure to basic microfinance operations while helping a MFI with a wide range of activities. Internship logistics and details will be worked out individually between the MFI and potential volunteer. Doing so allows for flexible internship programs which cater to both the specific needs of the MFI and the intern.

Feel free to browse our partner MFI profiles (below) which detail their internship programs, the required skill sets and potential activities they would like foreign interns to engage in.

If you find an MFI that suits your needs as a volunteer, please contact the MFI directly via the contact information provided. Prior to arrival, PlaNet Finance can provide the volunteer with reading material and maintain communication to help the volunteer prepare for their internship and make the most of the experience.

Please note: PlaNet Finance serves only as an initial intermediary. All internship logistics and details are to be determined directly between the applicant and MFI.

If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding the database, please contact our Communications and Development Officer, Katy Wang at swang@mfchina.cn.

Daba Ecology and Poverty Research Institute

Association for Rural Development of Yilong

 

Daba Ecology and Poverty Research (Daba)

Location: Ba Zhong City, Si Chuan Telephone: (0827) 310 – 8061   Email: Lianghaozhang@163.com Contact Person: Zhang Haoliang (张浩良) Website: http://www.dabashan.org/

General: Located in Bazhong City (巴中市), Sichuan Province (四川省), Daba is a nonprofit entity and social organization which aims to study and improve the ecological environment in poor areas. Moreover, through the research, learn to improve the quality of life for poor communities and enhance their awareness of environmental issues and sustainable development.

Specific Details of MFI: Our office does have internet access. We are located approximately 60 kilometers from downtown.

Requirements for Interns/Volunteers (On a scale of 1 (beginner) to 5 (advanced), skill requirements for volunteers at this organization):

  • Chinese Language Skills: 2
  • Experience in Microfinance: 3
  • Financial Skills: 2
  • Computer Skills: 1
  • Business Planning Skills: 1

Potential Projects and Programs: We’re hoping to have interns help train our staff on website management and financial knowledge. Our interns definitely have the opportunity to meet client. In fact, if s/he is able, they may work independently.

Internship Length and Expenses

  • Ideal start date: Anytime

  • Ideal length of internship: At least 6 months

  • Travel expense from and to Beijing: None – Round trip tickets cost approximately RMB 3,000.

  • Travel expense from the provincial capital to your association: None – It costs RMB 200 to travel to our association

  • Accommodations: None – There is residential homes available for rent of RMB 200 per month.

  • Dining: None – Should budget around RMB 500/month for expenses.

 

Association for Rural Development of Yilong (ARDY)

Location: Jin Cheng Township, Yi Long County, Sichuan Province      Telephone: (0817) 722 – 6020 or 130 – 9613 – 8271       Email: Lsb409_ncyl@163.com      Contact Person: LI Shi Bing (李世冰)                        Website: http://en.ardysc.org.cn/ (ENG) http://www.ardysc.org.cn/ (CHN)

General: ARDY has always strived to be on the front line of rural development and constantly seek different ways to do so efficiently and effectively. We have established a suitable model of microfinance and poverty alleviation for China’s rural society and it has been operating effectively. On this basis, we strive to assist farmers in decentralizing their activities and transitioning towards a market economy.

Our association constantly has interns coming and volunteering. Interns and volunteers are placed into work groups when they arrive, in which we will arrange various programs both social and work-related. This provides them with opportunities to learn about microfinance but also engage in social activities and provides a warm family feeling to the experience. Additionally, we offer free accommodations equipped with modern facilities such as household appliances and a fully-equipped kitchen, TV, computer and internet connection and free utilities.

Specific Details of MFI: Our office does have internet access. Our office relies on automation for our daily work procedures. There are both LAN connections in our office and staff apartments and also wireless service within the office. Our association is located in a small town in Nanchong City, Yilong County. We are approximately a 2 hour drive away from downtown, and 400 kilometers away from major cities of Chengdu and Chongqing. 

Requirements for Interns/Volunteers (On a scale of 1 (beginner) to 5 (advanced), skill requirements for volunteers at this organization):

  • Chinese Language Skills: 4
  • Experience in Microfinance: 4
  • Financial Skills: 4
  • Computer Skills: 4
  • Business Planning Skills: 4

Needs and Expectations for Field Interns

  1. Our association is offering internships as a platform for young people to learn more and pay more attention to rural society as a philanthropic organization, since rural areas in China need to be developed by knowledgeable young people.
  2. As a philanthropic organization, we have a responsibility to help develop and grow younger generations.
  3. We hope all our interns can work for at least a year. It’s impossible to achieve deep understanding of rural society and mastering concepts of development and rural living in a shorter time period, moreover, shorter periods would affect effective development of our association.
  4. We hope our interns can help with our translations and maintain contact with international organizations and players.
  5. We prefer interns with a background in finance studies.
  6. During the internship, interns can help our staff develop and hone their computer skills.
  7. Lastly, our association will be replacing our microfinance management system sometime during 2010/2011 so we are looking specifically for interns that can help us transfer information from the old system to the new and assisting in the transition.

Potential Projects and Programs

The work we do is very much on the front line of microfinance. Everyday there are opportunities for interns to meet with clients, in fact, each client averages 30 visits per year with our staff. In addition to microfinance services, we also assist our clients in plant cultivation and production issues.

At the moment, our staff is comprised mostly of young individuals that have a rich knowledge on rural development, specifically on sustainable rural development. However, many lack in modern professional experiences. For example, we rely heavily on partner organizations and volunteers to maintain English-related work such as the website, assist in work which require higher-level computer skills and finance-related work. Our English website was built by international volunteers. We hope that future interns can help us update the English website and offer trainings for our staff.

Internship length and Expenses

  • Ideal starting time: Immediately
  • Ideal length of internship: 1 year minimum
  • Travel expense from and to Beijing: None – Round trip tickets cost approximately RMB 2,200.
  • Travel expense from the provincial capital to your association: None – It costs RMB 120 to travel from Chengdu to Yilong County.
  • Accommodations: Provided – We have specialized housing (free apartment) for interns.
  • Dining: None – Residences have kitchens where interns can prepare their own meals. Should budget around RMB 400/month for expenses.