ADC NZ - News

#BackAWoman Campaign Update

23/10/2017

On the Backs of Women is the award-winning documentary about three enterprising women living in poverty in Myanmar. It won "Best NZ Short" at the 2016 DocEdge film festival. The film follows the lives of three clients of ADC’s project partner in Myanmar and demonstrates the power of microfinance to change lives.

ADC has been running a campaign encouraging people to host viewings of the film with friends, family or colleagues. In 2017 there has been a larger focus on corporates and other groups having viewings with staff and other associates.

The interest and inspiration inherent in the stories the film portrays has encouraged a lot of support, raising almost $20,000 for ADC so far, with lots more to come! As well as in people's homes, viewings have been held in high schools, churches, workplaces, the Ice House Auckland (New Zealand entrepreneurs supporting entrepreneurs in Myanmar), the Australian/Myanmar Chamber of Commerce at their Women in Business conference, iProspect, and more to come. We are immensely grateful for all the support we have received!

We have also recently added the film to our website. It's free to watch, and we welcome donations of any size if you feel you got some value from it or would like to support more women lifting their families and communities. Every $200 raised through the #BackAWoman campaign enables us to support another woman in Myanmar and their dreams for a better future.

If you’d like to watch the film, host a viewing or help us share these amazing stories in any way then visit www.backawoman.com to sign up, or contact our campaign coordinator James at james.powell@adc.org.nz.

Thanks again for all your continued support!

Myanmar Project Update

20/10/2017

Our Myanmar project has gone from strength to strength this year, and we're excited to update you on what's been happening. Demand for loans from ZMF is strong, and the repayment rate remains high (over 90% repayments on time). As loans are repaid, the funds are then able to be loaned out again to new (and repeat!) clients. We've now enabled an incredible 6,271 loans since inception (September 2008), totalling $1.258 million.

We have 1,371 current loans in circulation, and 86% of these are to women.

Thank you to everyone who has generously supported ADC to empower these people to access microfinance and build a better future for themselves.

Last month there was more flooding in Kalaymyo and surrounding areas, where ZMF Bank (our project partner) operates. This involved a few precautionary evacuations and interruption to some client businesses, but not on anything like the scale of the devastating floods of 2015. Floodwaters have now receded, and ZMF is working closely with those clients who are affected to ensure they have the necessary support (including re-structuring loans where necessary).

Many ADC supporters will no doubt be aware of the current conflict in Rakhine State in Myanmar, and consequent humanitarian crises. At this stage it looks unlikely that the unrest will directly affect the areas in which ZMF (ADC's Myanmar project partner) operates, as these are a few hundred kilometres to the north of Rakhine. However, our thoughts are with the thousands of innocent people affected by the ongoing violence and displacement.

Quiz Night Update

11/10/2017

30 September 2017 saw the 10th instalment of the hugely popular annual ADC Quiz night. This year saw a few changes - a different venue and a new, automated quiz format using hand-held remotes.

The quiz was hotly contested between sixteen teams, with team "Foregone Conclusion" edging out the competition to take out first place and a fantastic prize pack.

As usual we had both live and silent auctions with everything from baches to yoga passes, to pet photography, to a piece of traditional weaving from a client of the ZMF bank.

The best news from the night is that we were able to raise over $16,500 to support our microfinance partners. This is the equivalent to at least 80 new loans - helping entrepreneurs in poor communities kick-start a small business and lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

A huge THANK YOU to all who came along and made the night such a success!

A big thanks to the hugely talented Anna Kennedy for being our MC and auctioneer for the night! And a special thanks also to Nevil and the team at Evolve for their generous support, and to everyone who donated prizes and auction items.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

The ADC Story

11/10/2017

ADC (which stands for Aotearoa Development Cooperative) was founded in 2007 by two university students from Auckland, New Zealand: Andrew Colgan and Geoff Cooper. This is their incredible story:

"Backpacking through Asia with friends during the long university summer break, we were young, idealistic and on a budget. Myanmar sounded interesting – an adventure off the usual backpacker track. The country was not in great shape in January 2007, after decades of military rule and economic mismanagement.

Severe poverty was entrenched, and political freedoms nearly non-existent. Yet many of the people we met in Kalaymyo (in northwest Myanmar) were talented, resourceful, business-savvy and ambitious. In spite of their circumstances, they seemed to have everything it might take to operate a successful small business. Well...almost everything. It soon became apparent that a huge barrier keeping many people in poverty was a lack of access to affordable start-up capital.

Conditions there were perfect for microfinance, but the political situation meant it simply hadn’t happened. We were naïve enough to give it a go. The ZMF Bank came into being, and we set up ADC back in New Zealand to support it.

Early on, funds to capitalise ZMF were spirited through Yangon airport and exchanged for large bundles of local currency by nameless strangers in musty underground rooms, before being hidden in our packs for the journey north to Kalaymyo. This journey was usually either on a run-down old government plane or on a 24-hour bus ride over seemingly impassable roads – both equally frightening.

During our early visits we were also shadowed by Military Intelligence and subjected to curfews, checkpoints and tight restrictions on where and how we could travel. We were not allowed to meet with more than five people at a time. However, the challenges and risks we encountered pale in comparison to those faced almost constantly in the early years by the incredible group of locals whose courage and determination drove the ZMF dream from the outset.

A decade on, ZMF is flourishing. To date over 6,000 loans have been provided, with a combined value of more than $1.2 million. ZMF’s clients (over 85% of whom are women) continue to thrive, pulling themselves and their families out of poverty through successful small businesses.

We have both been fortunate enough on a number of occasions over the years to witness first-hand the difference microfinance is making in the lives of ZMF’s clients. The bank’s success is a testament to the enormous passion and energy of the dedicated local staff, as well as the loyal support of the ADC community back here in New Zealand.

We feel hugely privileged to have been part of the ADC Microfinance journey so far. But the most exciting thing is that this feels like it’s still just the beginning.”

- Andy Colgan and Geoff Cooper

ADC Annual Quiz Night - Saturday 30 September

24/8/2017

Our hugely popular ADC Annual Quiz Night is back! This year we’re teaming up with Evolve to make it bigger and better than ever.

Come along on Saturday 30 September, 6.30pm for a fun and entertaining evening of trivia, spot prizes, live and silent auctions and more!

Freemans Bay Community Hall, 52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

Tickets are $40 per person with teams of up to eight per table (or $300 for a whole table of eight). Please read the booking instructions (below) carefully.

All proceeds will go to supporting our partner microfinance project in Myanmar.

BYO beer/wine and food (or pre-book a yummy platter with your tickets). Snacks, tea, coffee and juice will be provided.

Book now to avoid disappointment as the night is always a sell-out.

Look forward to seeing you there!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Farewell Pamela Day!

9/10/2016

After four years with ADC, we are very sad to farewell our fantastic Administrator, Pamela Day.

Pamela was ADC's first employee, and from the outset, she has been an integral part of the ADC family. She is passionate about the work that we do and has a deep understanding of this organisation. From building relationships with members, to organising and running events, to facilitating, to managing multiple databases and accounts, she has been instrumental in transforming ADC into the organisation it is today. Her enthusiasm, efficiency, warmth, and sense of fun (not to mention delicious baking!) have made her a dearly loved member of the team.

Pamela has been invaluable to ADC and will be sorely missed. In between spending time with her five gorgeous grandchildren, we hope that she will stay involved and in touch. Pamela's last day as Administrator will be Monday 31 October.

Back A Woman campaign update

9/10/2016

In May Borderless Productions film 'On the Backs of Women' won best short film at the DocEdge film festival in New Zealand, making it eligible for an Academy Award. The film follows the lives of three of ADC’s clients in Myanmar and demonstrates the power of microfinance to change lives.

In partnership with Borderless, ADC has launched an ongoing campaign called "BackAWoman" that is using the film to inspire a global audience to empower entrepreneurial women in Myanmar. The film is available for people and organisations to host private screenings and fundraise to help us support more women with access to responsible microfinance.

Private screenings have been happening all over New Zealand over the past few months which have raised over $10,000 for ADC so far, with lots more to come! These have ranged from small dinners and pizza parties to cinema screenings, which have all been very successful. Every $300 (approximately) raised through the campaign will provide another woman in Myanmar with access to microfinance, a hand-up to build a better future.

The film and campaign has been getting quite a bit of media attention, being featured on Newshub, on Radio New Zealand and screenings featured in a number of local newspapers. We are thankful to all of our hosts and organisations like Global Women, Marsh, P3 Foundation and Arthur’s Cinema for screening the film, sharing the stories of our microfinance clients and inspiring change through small actions.

If you’d like to host a screening and get on board with the campaign or help us share these amazing stories in any way then visit www.backawoman.com to sign up or contact our campaign coordinator Many Zhu at many.zhu@adc.org.nz

Host a screening

Upcoming Event - Summer in the City

9/10/2016

Summer in the City was created as a way for women to come together, network and celebrate the amazing things that women in New Zealand are doing, whilst empowering entrepreneurial women in Myanmar with access to microfinance.

It will be an evening to celebrate women doing incredible things across several sectors of society, to create ripple effects both at home and abroad in advancing the empowerment of women.

Enjoy live entertainment, canapes, guest speakers, goodie bags and charity cocktails - we know this will be a sell-out event, so get your ticket quick.

Join us on Saturday 12th November from 7pm - we'll see you there!

ADC Board Member Jeremy Kenealy on the ground in Myanmar

9/10/2016

In July I was fortunate enough visit the team at ZMF (our partner microfinance institution) and catch up on all the exciting things happening in Kalaymyo. The last time we’d seen each other was over a year ago when Borderless Productions were shooting their film, “On the Backs of Women”. A lot has changed since then.

The team excitedly welcomed me in to the office and showed me around the new layout. For the first time I saw the office with electricity! It was no longer the dark space I remember where work was inevitably limited by the life of a laptop battery. The new solar power system is providing stable power for laptops, cellphones, and overhead lighting, all of which has greatly improved ZMF’s ability to manage daily operations and serve their clients. They are super grateful to the ADC supporters who helped fund the system.

By fortunate timing, the team from ZMF’s Tamu branch were in town working from the Kalaymyo office. They were preparing to hold a client business training session for 50 new clients who were due to receive loans from the recent money granted by ADC. It was great to share the team’s enthusiasm and as always it was exciting to see our supporters’ contributions making a real impact in the local community.

Outside of the exciting developments at ZMF, the Myanmar microfinance sector is also experiencing positive change as the government shifts away from military rule. In September the government approved amendments to Myanmar’s microfinance laws. The amendments are designed to help microfinance institutions de-risk their portfolios, improve savings products for clients, and allow institutions better access to foreign investment to grow the microfinance sector. The changes will make it easier for us to grant donor funds to ZMF and allow them to better serve their clients with high quality microcredit and savings products. Overall it’s very exciting news and it means your donations will have an even bigger impact on local communities.

Meet Hnit Oo Way

9/10/2016

We wanted to introduce you to someone amazing! Meet Hnit from Kalaymyo.

Hnit has worked as a delivery man in Kalaymyo for years. He has a 3 wheeled motorcycle which he uses for deliveries. Deliveries can range from taking people to markets or delivering goods. His deliveries often occur at odd hours so Hnit regularly works late into the night. Hnit supplements his income by doing manual labour jobs whenever they're available.

Earlier this year, Hnit opened a workshop to service and repair his and other peoples' motorcycles. Our partner bank, ZMF, approved him for a microloan to help set the shop up and to hire his first employee, his brother, who is a skilled mechanic. The brothers enjoy working together and are a great team - they’re working hard to build their business and make the most of their new venture.

As the workshop business grows, Hnit hopes to reduce his workload to spend more time with his wife and two sons. Hnit sees this business as an opportunity to improve his family's livelihood and provide financial security for their future. The loan ZMF provided was the catalyst he needed to make it happen.

ADC is delighted to be able to support Hnit. He is skilled, determined, and capable of making his business a success. Hnit wouldn't have had this opportunity without ADC's donors believing and investing in him. Thank you so much for your contributions! ADC helps support 1000's of ambitious people like Hnit every year to bring themselves and their families out of poverty. Every donation you give makes real difference.