Telephone Call

Question 1

Damien and Elizabeth plan to get married on the 15th of August. Elizabeth decides that she would prefer to have the reception at home and she hires a marquee from CELEBRATE Ltd, a firm specializing in event management. Their representative, Mr. Smooth, visits them and it is agreed that CELEBRATE Ltd will provide a marquee to house 100 guests, delivery and erection on the 14th of August and collection on the 16th of August.

On the 10th of August, Elizabeth receives a telephone call from Mr. Smooth, informing her that the marquee had been used in Scotland earlier that week and had yet to be returned. In order to obtain it in time for the wedding reception, a special lorry would have to be hired, costing £2,500. Frantic, Elizabeth agrees to pay the extra £2,500. On hearing of the conversation, Damien telephones Mr. Smooth himself and tells him that ‘if the marquee appears on time, you will be £250 better off.’ On the 14th of August, Elizabeth receives a telephone call from Mrs. Bun.

She has delivered the wedding cake as agreed, but complains that Elizabeth has yet to send her the cheque for £500. Elizabeth, worried about the rising costs of the wedding, tells her: ‘It is £200 or nothing!’ Mrs. Bun agrees to accept £200. Elizabeth seeks your advice whether she and Damien are required to pay the extra sums to CELEBRATE Ltd. She is also concerned that Mrs Bun is threatening to sue her for £300. Advise Elizabeth.

Question 2

Analyse the critical role of microfinance in women empowerment by paying attention to the paradigms for women’s empowerment in microfinance; then explain the elements of a gender strategy for equality and empowerment in microfinance.