Week 15 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations?

 The biggest surprise was the story of Saryamma and how, by joining SKS, she went from not having any money to support her family to propelling herself into India's lower middle class, allowing her husband to be free of bonded labor and sending her kids to school! It also surprises me that they only lend money to women.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I was confused with how he was able to get people to use his micro finance company, but obviously he used customer loyalty programs to appeal the most to customers interested in his company.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

How did you decide that it would be in your best interest and profitability to only lend money to women? Did this raise any problems?

How do you start an micro finance firm with no money? How were you able to convince friends and relatives to help you without them raising any doubt?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

No there wasn't. I look up to the author for realizing that he needed to build a new model to eradicate poverty, that it a true entrepreneur!