Microfinance 102 will be held at the Great Hall at University of California-San Diego (UCSD) from 6:00pm – 8:00pm on Tuesdays, April 12, April 19, and May 3, 2011.

 Register Today!

April 12 – Video conference with Chuck Waterfield, CEO & President of MicroFinance Transparency

April 19- Latest Research – Craig McIntosh of IR/PS, the School for International Relations and Pacific Studies

May 3 – John De Wit of Small Enterprise Foundation

Click HERE for more information on these speakers and sessions.

Edited by Justine Darling, USD Graduate Student

If you need assistance registering, please contact us.

Please visit La Dolce Vita, the Wellness Center at:

1445 Skyline Drive, Lemon Grove CA 91945

(858) 523-8064

La Dolce Vita

For more information about the Foundation for Women visit  THEIR WEBSITE

Edited by Justine Darling, USD Graduate Student

One of the many programs that VIA International has been instrumental in developing for communities is a special initiative called the Family Financial Security Program.  More than 700 loans have been made for small-business ventures and home improvements in San Diego and across the border. This impactful enterprise encourages loans for the sale of homemade items, resale of items in community markets, and loans for family emergencies and home improvement. In only 6 years, 741 loans totaling $289,914 were disbursed to individual families and women’s groups. These loans generated $43,211 in interest making it possible to fund even more entrepreneurial ideas and covering up to 20% of the operating costs of the program. Almost 100% of loans have been repaid with interest through this initiative.

To find out more about this incredibly successful model of community based microloans go to  their website.

Currently three graduate students are supporting the program to develop a growth strategy to encourage more participation and move the program further toward financial self-sufficiency.To get involved contact: Elisa Sabatini at jrumi@mac.com

VIA International Events coming up:

Clinton Global Initiative (panel on border poverty): April 2, 2011

San Diego Micro Finance Alliance Summit (panel on international microcredit): April 28, 2011

Edited by Justine Darling, USD Student

Each year there are people around the world who celebrate International Women’s Day. This tradition actually had its beginnings in the early 1900’s, but March 19^th 1911 is often cited as the first International Women’s Day. This first celebration was the result of a decision made by 100 women from 17 countries at the International Conference of Working Women in 1910. Since then this event has grown in importance and impact. In some countries, it is even a national holiday!

This year on March 6^th from 2-4pm at the Great Hall, on UCSD’s campus, the event will feature local women and the organizations that support them. Each of the four sponsoring organizations provides invaluable support to the women and communities they serve. Participants at this event can meet microfinance loan recipients, learn about the benefits of microfinance and even learn how to cook some of their delicious recipes!

Check Out The Press Release

To learn more about the four event sponsors, please check out the links to their websites below:

http://womenempowerment.org

http://ihouse.ucsd.edu/

http://women.ucsd.edu/

http://ucsdepteam.webs.com/

http://unasd.org/

For even more information about International Women’s Day, check out:

http://www.internationalwomensday.com

Until next time, take care!

Edited by Daniel Valcazar II, USD Student

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Teresa

I believe the wisdom from Mother Teresa’s quote is most strongly felt within our hearts. When we begin careers or get involved in service it is likely that we believe, doing our best is good enough. Unfortunately, in many cases shortly after our initial enthusiasm, we come face to face with the needs of the community that are beyond our ability. This realization can be both a blessing and a curse. I would contend that the difference in its impact comes from within our own mindset and attitude.

Realizing that the needs of the communities we serve are beyond our abilities can be a curse if we do not develop sufficient faith in ourselves. The realization can be a curse if we feel we have already failed. It can be a curse if it causes us to doubt our efforts and become immobilized.  However, realizing the community we serve needs more than we can offer can also be seen as a blessing.

Realizing the needs of the community are beyond our current ability is a blessing because it calls us to look beyond ourselves. This process helps us to maintain perspective and learn humility. This process reminds us that our efforts are less about being everything to everyone and more about becoming something to someone.  Progress and innovation are the result of the need to develop beyond current capacity. Teamwork and community involvement build relationships that may otherwise fail to develop.

The San Diego Microfinance Alliance and its partners are a wonderful example of this reality. One can imagine that the small group of people that came together to form the alliance realized that they needed more help to serve more people. We can all see the progress, innovation, teamwork, and community involvement that the alliance has created within the San Diego community. The alliance currently has 13 partners committed to perpetuating and sharing the benefits of microfinance. May our work together continue to challenge us to reach new levels of service, education and community development!

Until next time, take care!

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD student

As Dr. Liu described it, “This course is a globalization course with an international component.” It is the “international component” that naturally raises eyebrows and generates interest, but this component is only the beginning. On the weekend of November 5-7, 2010, students journeyed to Mexicali to participate in various, Via International coordinated, community service-learning projects. The projects allowed students to interface with recipients of micro-enterprise loans. In addition, these microfinance projects across the border also served to deepen student learning about poverty alleviation programs. This new awareness and interaction led to the most important step, an opportunity to take action.

Following the immersion and educational experience the students were invited to contribute to the La MUVA Coalition Fund, (for more information please see: http://www.sandiego.edu/insideusd/?p=10777) affiliated with the San Diego Microfinance Alliance, to demonstrate the power of microfinance loans. This invitation was graciously accepted and the class raised enough money to provide a $250 loan to a deserving microfinance participant.

Once this donation was processed it was time to select the recipient. The recipient’s name was Evangelina Alarcon and she participates in the microfinance group that meets in Chula Vista (see Building Friendships, Building Business). She has a business selling perfume, children’s toys, and handmade crafts. She participated in the Alternative Gift Fair (see Microfinance at USD’s Alternative Gift Fair) at USD and generated over $200 in sales. This was her first microloan and it will allow her to purchase additional supplies to continue growing her business. While this act of generosity took place domestically, it clearly realizes the goal of a course like Social Change.

In closing, we would like to honor the creativity and commitment to social change demonstrated by Dr. Liu and Dr. Kelly. This additional microloan was a direct result of Dr. Liu and Dr. Kelly’s innovative curriculum.  The students not only learned about Social Change, they participated in its achievement.

Until next time, take care!

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD student

This guidebook presents a significant contribution to the microfinance community for multiple reasons. Firstly, the guidebook is free, which is a great start. Secondly, the guidebook is available in multiple formats so individuals can select the format they find most effective. Lastly, the guidebook addresses an obstacle that remains difficult to overcome, particularly for microfinance clients, harnessing the power of technology.

Karen Mills, a SBA Administrator said, “Our goal as an agency is to get information, tools and services into the hands of small business owners more quickly so they can spend more time doing what they do best – creating the jobs that will drive our economic recovery. This new guidebook is one more tool available to support small business growth through access to information and resources.”

The following is taken directly from the SBA press release:

Business Technology Simplified is available in a printed format in SBA district offices and local SBA resource partners, or may be accessed online as an electronic publication and as an electronic distance learning course. The new online course has been created for self-paced access to practical guidance on applying technology to build and grow strong companies.

The Business Technology Simplified online course allows quick access by small business owners to learn more about basic technology tools that can help their companies run more efficiently. The course features an audio guided lesson indexed by modules that includes information on how to use technology to save time in day-to-day tasks, how to better manage a business, mobile solutions that work, and tips on expanding customer base.

To access the course, go to www.sba.gov/training, then click Business Technology Simplified in the Highlighted Courses section. It is one of nearly 30 online tutorials offered by the SBA, and is available 24/7.

Lastly, if you would prefer a copy to download you can visit Microsoft’s website at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=cb22851d-8195-4a46-b30c-9a57bcff0440. Good luck with this new and important tool!

Until next time, take care!

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD Student

The Alternative Gift Fair is an event that supports local vendors and artisans. The event has been on campus for over 10 years. As a result, many people around campus look forward to this event and plan to buy gifts for the most difficult people on their list. The particularly exciting aspect of this year’s Alternative Gift Fair was the presence of such a large number of microfinance clients.

This year’s Alternative Gift Fair was the largest in history and included 25 separate vendors. However, the most exciting part of the story was that 11 of the 25 were involved in microfinance! The breakdown for microfinance participants was roughly five vendors from the Foundation for Women, three vendors from the International Rescue Committee, and three vendors from La Maestra.

When asked about his perspective on the event, USD Senior Lovel Tokic, said that he, “felt good about putting his money toward a good cause.” Lovel spent about $40 on various gifts for the women in his life. “It was a very good atmosphere. The people were friendly and committed to their crafts.” This sentiment seems to be consistent with the goals of the event.

Fortunately, I had a chance to check in with some of the vendors after the fair. Their responses were positive and seemed to reflect the success of their sales. There were multiple women I’d checked with that made over $200 during the event and at least one woman made over $800! Needless to say, many of them hope to return next year.

If you’re still in need of some creative and unique gifts for the holidays, many of the vendors that participated in the Alternative Gift Fair also showcase their goods at other local events. Whether you’re looking specifically for holidays or just considering future gift ideas, check out the local events section of our website. There you can find various opportunities to see the crafts and jewelry you may have missed this past week, and many more from vendors that were not able to attend.

Until next time, take care!

Written by USD student, Daniel Valcazar II

Fonkoze, roughly translated, means “Shoulder to Shoulder” in Creole. As its name implies, this microbank has worked closely with the people of Haiti by “building the economic foundations for democracy in Haiti by providing the rural poor with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty.” Fortunately, great minds and hearts quickly connect to generate larger levels of success and support. This has led Fonkoze to develop a partnership with the Grameen Foundation, an important partner with the San Diego Microfinance Alliance.

While San Diego is far from being ”shoulder to shoulder” with Haiti, students from Point Loma Nazarene University and the University of San Diego participated in $2 Challenges to raise awareness and funds for those in Haiti earlier this year. Both of these schools have partnerships with the San Diego Microfinance Alliance and a desire to eliminate poverty through awareness and action. Both schools continue to develop microfinance clubs and events on their respective campuses.

A recent article in the New York Times highlights the importance of microfinance initiatives, particularly in Haiti. It demonstrates how microfinance can succeed where institutional lenders would fail. Microfinance initiatives may not yet have the same level of funds of traditional banking institutions, but they arguably make a larger impact upon the lives of people they serve.

Please check out the article from the New York Times here.

Please also take a moment to learn more about Fonkoze and their efforts in Haiti.

Until next time, take care!

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD student

On Sunday, November 14 from 2:30-6pm the Foundation for Women will be holding another Microenterprise Marketplace Bazaar. This bazaar will be reoccurring every other week from 11am-4pm, for those who can’t make it this Sunday. This bazaar will include many of the young women featured in the Purple Pages that work with the Foundation for Women. If you’re not familiar with the Purple Pages, I’d invite you to check them out.

The Purple Pages serve as a directory of the women working with the Foundation. These pages include a picture, contact information, location, and type of product or service the women provide. There are over 10-pages of entrepreneurs with more than 5 areas of expertise. The categories listed include: jewelry, food, apparel & accessories, health & beauty, arts & flowers, housecleaning & misc skills.

As you read this I hope you’re not watching the clock waiting for lunch. I know all this talk of home cooked meals and tamales have me salivating. I don’t mean to detract from the fact that many other vendors not selling home cooked food will be participating. I am just approaching this marketing opportunity using the programming mantra I know best, where there’s food there’s a crowd. Thus, if you’re interested in attending the address is: 695 Ballantyne Street El Cajon, CA 92021. You can also find more information and the Purple Pages (click on the purple “Meet our Vendors” button in the News & Events section) at foundationforwomen.org.

Until next time, take care!

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD student