Grameen Foundation

This project aims to set a business analysis in the Dominican Republic (DR) for setting a water purification plant. The volunteer(s) will travel to the DR and present a report with recommendations and develop a business plan that assures the financial sustainability of the project. Spanish fluency is required. BACKGROUND Esperanza International is a Christian non-profit development organization which seeks to promote economic and holistic development for the poorest families and communities of the Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti. Even though microfinance is at the core of the organization, Esperanza provides more than just loans. Building upon the platform of microcredit, Esperanza also provides and facilitates the provision of complementary services such as education, vocational training, and preventive health/dental care. As of Decemeber 31, 2010, Esperanza has disbursed approximately 72,521 loans totaling approximately US$13.4 million to the neediest families of the DR and Haiti with an overall repayment rate of 98%. Through its microfinance program, Esperanza is actively serving approximately 7,000 associates with an active loan portfolio of about US$1.6 million. CHALLENGE Esperanza International will set up a water purification plant in the DR; Esperanza has extensive experience in setting these types of plants. In this case, Esperanza needs to guarantee the plant’s financial sustainability, it will be necessary to develop a business case with clear metrics and a feasibility study to scale the social business model to provide more than just clean water. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES The volunteer(s) will travel to Santiago, a province in the DR in order to deliver a report with business metrics and timeframe for i) the installation of the plant and ii) the subsequent social businesses. The volunteer will develop: -A business plan including the social business model that the community will undertake, which will be delivered within two weeks following the field visit. VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS Esperanza seeks volunteer(s) with: -Professional experience in writing business plans; -Experience with technical writing a plus; -Experience writing business plans for nonprofits a plus; -Ability to travel to Santiago for at least one week; -Fluency in Spanish is required. PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION The project will involve at least a week’s travel to the DR (province of Santiago). Preparation for the project and any post work can be done remotely. The project duration is approximately 4 weeks and can be negotiated with the volunteer GETTING STARTED/NEXT STEPS Gather regional demographic information of the targeted areas as pre-readings for the volunteer(s). EXPECTED RESULTS/IMPACT A solid business plan will legitimize the process of installation and implementation of a water sanitation plant; additionally, by assuring the success of the process, there will be opportunities for further plants in the future.