Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, in July 2013 undergraduate student Sarah Baran interviewed Maximiliano Damian Gomez, a credit assessor at Protagonizar, a microfinance lender in the lower class neighborhood of San Miguel, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the interview, Gomez, whose role at Protagonizar entails explaining the credit process to new entrepreneurs and ensuring that those who wish to obtain credit are financially responsible, discusses what drew him to Protagonizar, the role of education at the agency, and the challenges he faces at work.

Can you please share with me a little bit more about your background, your family, your past work experience, and what lead you to Protagonizar?

In my family, there is my mother, father, and two brothers. My mother cares for the house, while my father paints. I have lived in Santa Brigida, San Miguel my whole life. I went to a private high school in the area. After I graduated, I went to a public college for two years, where I studied to obtain a degree in social work but did not finish. In 2004 I began studying public relations at a private university and especially wanted to learn about public administration. Before Protagonizar, I worked in the retail industry and was also a server. I also worked in a clinic as a security guard. I enjoyed the work but left because the schedule was too difficult to manage. There would be times when my shifts lasted through the night, when I would start at nine in the evening and work until eight in the morning. I would be exhausted after traveling home and then sleep and get up to do it again.

When I was a student, I had a general idea about Protagonizar’s work because I knew several of the employees from church. They were founded in the chapel where I participate. It’s also the same place from where some of my family and neighbors that take credit. I started working for them on June 6th, 2011, so exactly two years ago, and have always worked in the agency in Mitre.

I was interested in working for them first because of the way in which they help people. The principle is that we help people progress and that our work is not just a handout, which is more common in Argentina. Another part is that I know the people that I work with; they are a great group. I also get to perform some of the type of work I used to study—social work.

What is your current position and what are some of your responsibilities?

I am a credit assessor. In terms of the fieldwork of this position, I give talks in order to promote Protagonizar and explain the policies we have regarding borrowing credit from us. When people come to the office the first time to learn about the offers, I explain to them the requisites and the process. I verify that the money which they invest in their business is going to the right place. Inside of this work, I have to update the folders and the personal information of the entrepreneurs. I complete their evaluations of credit and review their applications to receive renewals of credit or higher amounts.

Can you please describe some of the characteristics of the community you work within and why you think education is an important aspect of Protagonizar?

I know it very well. It’s full of working class people. I would say that it has progressed pretty quickly. It’s doing much better than before; yet it is still one of the most humble neighborhoods in San Miguel.

In terms of education, there are classes we offer called Cuentas Claras that are very important. Not everyone benefits from them, but for those who do, it is very productive and helps with their costs because they can visualize where the money is going. They are meant to improve the development of the entrepreneur and help distinguish what is the remaining income after everything else is accounted for. The education of the entrepreneurs varies a lot—for example, Olga has a title but nothing more. She only knows her numbers and not how to read or write, which is a little difficult for us, but then again we have to limit our focus, and the only objective for us is with the business.

Can you speak a little as to the importance of faith—if there is importance—in your life and in the work of Protagonizar?

In my life, it is very important. My family is strongly Catholic, and my formation from childhood, since I was very young in my case, has always been Catholic. I participated in activities in the chapel. I used to attend and then teach religion classes. I knew Lujan, another employee at Protagonizar, through the church first. She’s my neighbor. I am looking forward to going to the International Day of the Youth. I’m not too orthodox, but yes, my faith is very important, and I am practicing it.

In Protagonizar, we do not have the mission of transmitting the faith because we have many entrepreneurs who are religious, but not all are Catholic. It’s very broad, and there is a lot of diversity. So, I would say it does not have a very important role in Protagonizar.

What are some of the challenges that Protagonizar faces?

The challenges we face are the same ones that all of our entrepreneurs face: health, rain, heat. Our working conditions are not always comfortable. It’s cold in the winter because heating costs too much, and then it’s sweltering in the summer. It’s also common that someone is sick, and then everyone else assumes the responsibility for that person’s work. Often, we have to switch around where employees are working if we don’t have enough in one office. However, when I am sick, I often just come to work. You have to make the money, and you can’t rest.

The same difficulties that the entrepreneurs have also affect us in a different way, one that is more personal because I want to care for them, but we also need to be paid. I do not want to simply be handing out assistance. We are very realistic with our credit. We cannot give a person credit that would not be able to pay back. We are very attentive, which is necessary in order to fulfill our mission.

In your opinion, do you think that Protagonizar works for social justice?

We help by offering credit to those who are poor. It is a formal process of credit. There is still a large need for this type of opportunity now, which is evident by the fact we continue to grow each week. However, when Protagonizar first started, the situation was much worse. Now, I believe there is more possibility to improve your life. The reality here is not as unjust as it was before. In my case, my parents are older and have good work that provides a source of income that allows us to meet all the basic needs. It is not too bad. It was worse in the past.

What are the operational differences between a private microfinance organization and Protagonizar?

In a bank, the relationship with the entrepreneur is very different. Here, we know them: their partner, their children, their family problems, and the progress they make. It’s a link that other institutions do not have. Other institutions have a paper, a contract, and nothing more. We have a different link. It’s much more constant. For example, other banks do not have visits to their clients. Even the use of the word is different. They say client because it’s a good list of names but nothing more. We address those who borrow loans from us as entrepreneurs out of respect, and the term also illustrates our relationship with them. However, one of the formal policy requirements is that in order to take out a loan with us, they have to have a business, which is another stipulation the banks do not have. Thus, we are a lot stricter with who can and cannot take out a loan because of our mission. Another main difference is the interest. The bank’s interest is much higher because the amount of the loan is also much higher. Our location is another difference. We are right in the middle of the neighborhood.

Where can you see yourself in the future?

The same as everyone else—I would like to have my own house; to progress and get my degree one day; to travel more. I would like to continue with Protagoinzar, but I think one day I would like to do more event planning and coordinating. I think it fits better with my personality. I am happy here. I have always wanted to live here. I like it a lot because the majority of my family and my friends live here.

What is your favorite part of work?

My favorite part is visiting the people. The evaluation days and house visits always pass very quickly, and I enjoy them. Well, I should clarify—I take the bike around to do evaluations and visits, so I enjoy it when the weather is pleasant, but when it’s raining or cold, that’s a different story. I also like the work environment: It’s very easygoing. There’s no boss leaning over your shoulder. I have a lot of freedom and responsibility.