Training
How do we do this? We follow the process below, which builds upon our core principles and "The MIA Model".
Rolling out the MIA Training Model
The first step in the process is the initiation workshop, a meeting between all stakeholders, where the decision to introduce microinsurance into the communities is agreed upon, and a roadmap for the implementation is elaborated, with the MIA providing the materials and conducting overall facilitation, and the client taking all the decisions on how to go forward.
Once the initiation workshop is complete, promoter training takes place. During this stage, staff members of local NGOs are instructed in methods to manage implementation challenges that may arise in the course of a microinsurance scheme. Participants are reminded that they should avoid assuming administrative control of a microinsurance scheme.
As a follow-up to the promoter training, a baseline study is conducted. The information collected through this study includes essential socio-economic and demographic data on the local community and environment. This data is indispensable for the design of relevant insurance products that suit the local conditions.
Following the baseline study, a facilitator training is conducted. At this stage, the individuals from the ground staff are trained to help educate community members on the value proposition of microinsurance, to lead the collection of baseline data, to engage the community in democratically selecting representatives and committees, to facilitate benefit package design, and to help ensure that the key stakeholders in the community remain supportive and engaged.
Prior to asking communities to decide on voluntary affiliation to microinsurance, a month long awareness campaign is undertaken, conducted by facilitators trained by MIA. This campaign (using street plays, games & multimedia tools such as videos), focuses on promoting the value proposition of microinsurance. It culminates with a public "CHAT" exercise, a community activity to assess and decide on the relevant benefits, services, and costs that will make up their microinsurance package.
CHAT (Choosing Healthplans All Together) is a game-like tool designed specifically for this purpose. In CHAT, even illiterate and innumerate persons can participate and decide on the composition and price of their health insurance. It is during this exercise that a community decision on whether to join/not to join is made.
A “Yes” vote to join would then lead to an election process, where communities democratically select representatives to participate as insurance activists, in claims committees, as insurance coordinators, and as ombudsman. Following the election and appointment, training for each function is conducted. The representatives in these functions work together to maintain, manage, and operate the overall structure of the scheme (see diagram below) in a cluster setting, (i.e. in collaboration with other schemes).
A final decision or verification from all partners is obtained, with both communities and the individual functionaries agreeing and recognizing their roles and responsibilities. With these steps in place, the microinsurance scheme can begin operations!
