The NamasteDirect Microcredit Fellowship Program provides a unique opportunity for students to learn first-hand about microcredit as a form of bottom-up international development.  The trip component, which may vary in length from a couple weeks to several months depending on circumstances, provides an intense, rich, and enduring learning experience.  Fellows will stay at a loan officer's home and participate in the day to day activities of the loan officer.  This includes meeting with staff members of local microfinance institutions, attending meetings of microcredit borrowing groups and interviewing borrowers about their lives.

Typically, each Fellow is designated as group correspondent for a NamasteDirect group of 100 or more microcredit borrowers.  During the trip, the Fellow meets with and interviews members of his or her group, collecting stories, photographs, and video footage that provide a glimpse into the borrowers' lives.  The Fellow relays these stories and images along with other pertinent information to the donors who have sponsored the 100+ Group. 

During the stay, each NamasteDirect Fellow will conduct a thorough audit of the partner organization in Guatemala or Mexico.  The audit is designed to keep communication channels open and everyone informed.

NamasteDirect staff and Board members provide support and guidance to Fellows throughout their Fellowship.  Before their journey to Guatemala or Mexico, Fellows receive verbal briefings as well as written materials discussing microcredit, NamasteDirect, and the local social context.  Furthermore, NamasteDirect provides Fellows with additional educational content on relevant topics such as social entrepreneurship, non-profit management, and fund development.

Undergraduate students of at least second year standing and graduate students are eligible to apply.  Recent graduates may also be considered.  Potential candidates should be prepared to demonstrate strong communication skills, proficiency in Spanish or a Mayan language, as well as passion and motivation for international development work.  NamasteDirect Fellows are expected to cover their own expenses of the program, however internal scholarships may be awarded through NamasteDirect for applicants in need of financial assistance.

For more information on this program, please contact: