History of Tuba Rai Metin

Tuba Rai Metin started in 2001 as one of the Save the Children US projects called Micro Credit that offered $ 50.00 to $ 100.00 individuals through group loans to who found it difficult to access credits during that time after independence.
In 2002, Save the Children US ended its mission in Timor-Leste, but it transferred the project include asset/capital and personnel include Mr. Angelo Soares and Mr. Jose Gusmao to CRS. CRS registered that small micro credit project with NGO Forum as a microfinance NGO with $ 12,000.00 capital and two staff.
In 2006, when the crisis hit Timor-Leste again after independence, given the situation was not safe,
CRS stopped the support and 22 local staff committed to continue the operation with very limited
resources.
In 2009-2012, TRM got support from UNCDF by providing a technical assistance consultant.
TRM accessed investors include TRIODOS BANK, Grameen Credit Agricole, DFAT, IFC and BOPA
Singapore, INCOFIN, BLUEORCHARD, ADA no TRIPLE JUMP.
On 1st March 2016, TRM with the support from IFC, BOPA, and TURAME Association registered
itself at the central bank as the first ODTI in Timor-Leste with its new entity called Kaebauk
Investimentu no Finansas (KIF). On 23rd August, KIF was formally launched as one new entity.
As a mother institution, TRM Foundation transferred all the staff to KIF and keeping only one staff to
continue TRM Foundation mission as an NGO. TRM recruited one program manager to work with
one remaining staff to initiate projects since 23 August 2016. TRM accessed grants from donors include Teaching Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion from MDF, Bamboo Nursery and Planting, and Bamboo Low and High Tunnel Training from USAID’s Avansa Agriculture Project, Teaching Financial Literacy at DIT that supported by Later Day Saints.
TRM has previously run financial literacy projects in Ermera and engaged on literacy education through its interaction with clients. TRM believes that the offering of financial services and literacy programs is not enough to launch TL into a more financial included future. What is needed is a deep cultural shift and awareness of the deficiencies hindering individual and family financial independence through livelihood promotion services with special focus on agriculture.