December is full of holidays and a difficult time to plan any kind of activities. Common Interest decided to use this time to conduct a survey of its members in order to get a better idea of how our programs impact communities. Approximately 5 members were randomly chosen from each of our Village Banks. The total number surveyed was 208 which equals 16% of our total membership. The responses to our three questions were as follows:

1. How has Common Interest's Village Banking Program impacted your family?
76% - Increased the profit from family's farm or small business
70% - Have more financial liquidity
63% - Quality of life is better
54% - Purchased more agricultural equiment
40% - Debt was reduced
36% - Have more working capital
20% - Started a new business
20% - Debt increased


2. How has Common Interest's Village Banking Program impacted your community?
98% - Started saving for the future
95% - More people have access to loans
86% - We have place for saving
84% - Women in our community work better together
73% - Our community is stronger


3. Where else do you have loans from?
76% - One Million baht program (government program)
33% - Village Fund (government program)
31% - BAAC (government agriculture bank)
13% - Government Savings Bank
10% - Village "Poverty Solution Fund" (government program)
6% - Nim Sing Seng (private money lender)