I enjoyed reading your post and it is encouraging to hear that there are communities in the U.S. exploring the linkages between Microfinance and vulnerable populations. I have spent the last year in Cambodia working with AMK, a local MFI, exploring this same question. From a field perspective, the answer to Overlake's question – can the MFI “value chain” offer an opportunity to help the people who are survivors of trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence – is absolutely YES. I am passing along a brief overview of AMK's counter-trafficking reintegration pilot program, and I would be happy to provide a more in-depth research report and lessons learned from our work as a reference if Kristine/Overlake is interested: http://amkmicrofinance.wordpress.com/2009/11/11... Several of the anti-trafficking organizations we partner with are run by Christian organizations. AMK has worked closely with UNITUS on this initiative, and we have partnered with Oikocredit in other endeavors – small world! Re-Vision labs is helping to facilitate important work here and I wish Kristine and her team all the best!

~Katie
katie.a.davis@gmail.com

I enjoyed reading your post and it is encouraging to hear that there are communities in the U.S. exploring the linkages between Microfinance and vulnerable populations. I have spent the last year in Cambodia working with AMK, a local MFI, exploring this same question. From a field perspective, the answer to Overlake's question – can the MFI “value chain” offer an opportunity to help the people who are survivors of trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence – is absolutely YES. I am passing along a brief overview of AMK's counter-trafficking reintegration pilot program, and I would be happy to provide a more in-depth research report and lessons learned from our work as a reference if Kristine/Overlake is interested: http://amkmicrofinance.wordpress.com/2009/11/11... Several of the anti-trafficking organizations we partner with are run by Christian organizations. AMK has worked closely with UNITUS on this initiative, and we have partnered with Oikocredit in other endeavors – small world! Re-Vision labs is helping to facilitate important work here and I wish Kristine and her team all the best!

~Katie
katie.a.davis@gmail.com