ASKI the organization was born in October 1986 in the year of the EDSA People Power Revolution when social issues like poverty and unemployement were widely felt. A group of business leaders in Nueva Ecija, out of Christian zeal and compasssion, joined hands to think of a positive response to the issues and help deliver an economic turnaround - micro-enterprise.
ASKI was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 23, 1987 as a non-stock, non-profit organization committed to the promotion and development of micro and small-to-medium enterprises and the delivery of social services. It formally launched operations on July 1, 1987. From its starting fund of Php 460T, ASKI's investment has grown to a total portfolio of Php76M in 2004. From a small playing field in Cabanatuan City, ASKI has branched out into other provinces in Central Luzon and adjacent Regions I and II. From a handful of savings and loan services, ASKI's lines have diversified into a capital build-up and other cooperating arrangements.
They chose to start small and right at home in Cabanatuan City. With a small capital of investment of Php 460,000 provided by the Maranatha Trust of Australia, the group reached out to small entrepreneurs, to the street players, to the movers of the micro economy that had no access to bigger funding institutions. Challenged by their mission and the efforts of other development NGOs, the founders and managers dug deep and wide on their routes of service. Slowly, the organization grew into what it is today, a byword in eco-social development in Central Luzon and nearby regions - Alalay sa Kaunlaran - a partner in development.
ASKI attributes its success to a values-oriented philosophy on entrepreneurial lending, believing that no Return on Equity can be realized without an informed, responsible and conscientious clientele. For ASKI's loan portfolio in complemented by support services like values training, social preparation, community organizing, institution building and financial management. ASKI today goes on, inspired by the confidence that the strength of any country lies in a strong middle class that can only come about by putting into the hands of the micro entrepreneur what he needs to become a macro.
