Meet Roshaneh Zafar

Did you know that one of the most successful microfinance organizations in the world is actually setup in Pakistan by a Pakistani woman? I am talking about Kashf Foundation and it’s founder Roshaneh Zafar. And while I was searching for more information, I came across a very interesting fact about her which is going to pleasantly surprise many. But for this you have to wait till the end.

Roshaneh received her BSc in Finance and BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and her MA in International Development Economics from Yale University. Inspired by the success of Grameen Bank, Roshaneh left her World Bank post to start the Kashf Foundation in 1996. It was the first microfinance institute in Pakistan.

With a growing staff base of 1,600 employees in 152 branch locations in Punjab and Sindh, the Kashf Foundation offers customers two loan products: a general loan (up to US$ 138) for building economic opportunities, and an emergency loan (up to US$ 35) for families to meet unplanned expenditures or emergencies.

In 2002, Kashf Foundation was awarded the Microfinance Excellence Award by the Grameen Foundation-USA for its groundbreaking innovations in the field of microfinance in Pakistan. In 2005 it won the AGFUND International Prize for Microcredit 2005 out of 98 countries. In 2008, Forbes ranked Kashf Foundation 34th in its top 50 MFIs of the World. Ms. Zafar has also been awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian awards 2005, by the President of Pakistan.

Finally, here is the surprise I mentioned earlier. Watch the videos below and unlock the mystery.

and

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.....

(taken from http://mintopark.com/2011/08/28/roshaneh_zafar/)