THE ROLE OF MICROFINANCE IN PROMOTING QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE POOR HOUSEHOLDS : CASE OF THE TO MONG COMMUNITY FUNDS IN YALA PROVINCE

Abstract

The purposes of this qualitative research were 1) to explore the roles of microfinance in promoting quality of life of poor households into To Mong community in Yala province. Through To Mong community funds, and 2) to investigate the impacts of local microfinance on financial access, human capital development, and physical capital development an in-depth interview was used for data collection. The target group was 30 poor households selected by using the snow ball sampling and the purposive sampling methods. The peer debriefing and member checking techniques were adopted as an instrument to analyze the data and establish the validity of data. The research findings whereas followings: microfinance played three key roles in development. In terms of financial access, it facilitated access to financial assets and promote quality of life by making their work performances better, their families more peaceful and their daily lives happier than before. In terms of human capital development, it contributed gradually to not only the development of professional and living skills, but also the equality and opportunity for fundamental education. In terms of physical capital development, it enabled those poor households to improve their residential houses [and/or residential buildings] and develop their housings for livestock in order to raise the basic quality of life level.