Tinker Nave Research Interns
Summer 2002
Nicaragua's Microcredit Sector: A Study of Power Relations
Dwight seating with focus work participants just outside Matagalpa. Click on the photo to see a larger view
Dwight's research was aimed at studying the relationship between the Nicaraguan State, NGOs and beneficiaries of microcredit programs. For this purpose he spent six weeks in Nicaragua during the summer of 2002 (this was his first visit to the country).
During his stay he spent time in the cities of Managua, Matagalpa, Somotillo, Chinandega, and Boaco. In each of these localities he conducted interviews with NGO workers and focus groups with the clients/beneficiaries of the microcredit programs, as well as visited each agency's branch office.
While in Managua, he also had the opportunity to meet each of the financial managers of the seven agencies he was studying. Dwight writes of his experience:
The experience was fruitful, thought-provoking and personally enriching.
