Rachel Wong from the Department of Government and Public Administration had her internship at Aohan Women’s Development Association in Inner Mongolia with three other team members. The association helps women in poverty by providing them with small loans to run their own businesses.

When talking to the interns about the reason for setting up the NGO, Ms. Yin Xiangli, the founder of the association, gave a simple answer: ‘I am old enough and it’s not likely that I’ll be further promoted in my work, so I focus on how to show my kindness to the needy.’

During the eight-week placement, the major duty of the students was visiting the borrowers with the association’s staff. They interviewed the debtors to know whether the loan scheme can help these peasant households and relayed their feedback to the association.

In general, each woman can borrow RMB¥6,000 per year. Rachel found that the amount was only a drop in the bucket. They still have to borrow money from other parties. Moreover, the women have to provide income proof, that is, they must have a job or business. This means that the most underprivileged cannot benefit from the scheme.

Rachel said, ‘In theory, small loans can help women in poverty. But in the real world, there are many constraints which make situations less than ideal.’ The experience gave her new insight and reassured her to pursue her study in the field of development study. She hoped she can help the needy by implementing remedial measures with a new mindset.