Now more than ever, in the microfinance industry,  transparency and objective evaluation is needed to rise above criticism and offer stakeholders a realistic perspective on the risk and returns related to microfinance investment. Chuck Waterfield, founder of MFTransparency, and Sebastian von Stauffenberg, CEO of MicroRate, will host a webinar focusing specifically on the role of investors in helping to facilitate transparent pricing and on how investors can benefit from a market where MFI pricing is transparent.

The webinar will take place on July 20th from 4:00 – 5:30p.m. If you are interested in participating in the webinar, please click here to register or to attain further information about the webinar and its presenters.

About Chuck Waterfield

Chuck Waterfield founded MFTransparency in 2008 in order to facilitate transparent financial pricing among MFIs all over the world. Chuck will focus on the role of investors in helping to facilitate transparent pricing and on how investors can benefit from a market where MFI pricing is transparent. Chuck will also speak about the role of transparent pricing in responsible investment.

About Sebastian von Stauffenberg
n 1997, MicroRate was founded as the first rating agency to specialize in microfinance.  It’s goal is to increase transparency as a means of facilitating an increase of informed investment into microfinance. MicroR

ate evaluates areas such as governance, portfolio quality, management and operations, financial and social performance in both microfinance institutions as well as microfinance investment vehicles. MicroRate evaluations help investors measure risks and returns on their investments in microfinance. Sebastian von Stauffenberg, CEO of MicroRate and former General Manager of its Latin American operations will speak about the landscape of microfinance evaluation, addressing trends and as well as other observations from his participation in industry initiatives such as the Smart Campaign certification committee and Social Performance Taskforce.

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.

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

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

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

ACCION San Diego has brought together community partners and local businesses to present on three important aspects of the business growth process. There will be three separate panels presenting simultaneously so each participant can determine which panel is most relevant to their current situation. The panels include: Starting your Business, Financing your Business, and Promoting your Business.

The event is called the Women’s Empowerment Multicultural Business Luncheon and it seeks to assist women in “realizing their entrepreneurial dreams by identifying and connecting them with resources that can help them succeed.” The event will be held at the Jacobs Center, only costs $15 (for the first 100 participants), and includes lunch! 

The event will be a great opportunity to connect with like-minded women and learn from the experienced panelists. The Starting your Business panel will cover the top ten things entrepreneurs should consider before starting their business. The Financing your Business panel will share creative financing and non-traditional lending options for those interested in extra support or the chance to expand their business. Lastly, the Promoting your Business panel will unveil innovative marketing strategies to leverage and promote your business. Whatever your interests or needs may be you will walk away with new knowledge and the confidence that there are others to support you along the way. 

To sign up for the event please visit, http://www.marketcreekevents.com/payment.htm or call Kimberly Pecox at 619-527-6161 ext. 150 by October 22, 2010. 

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD Student

This is what Microlinks.org has done for conferences focused on microenterprise and microfinance. Unfortunately, it is not within the scope of this blog to share all the great work that Microlinks and USAID are doing for the microfinance community. Suffice it to say that Microlinks “is a knowledge sharing family of applications and tools designed to improve the impact of USAID microenterprise programs and activities.” As a result, you can decide to participate in the conference based on your interest rather than your budget or schedule!

 The highlight of this blog is the Speakers Corner starting tomorrow, October 5, 2010, entitled, “Why Integrate Microfinance Health Services?” Each Speakers Corner virtual conference brings together professionals and interested participants from around the world to share their experiences. The virtual conference starting tomorrow will include discussion topics surrounding the benefits and challenges of integrating microfinance and health protection services. Thus, if you’re interested check out http://microlinks.org/mfhealth to learn more and participate! Until next time, take care!

Written by Daniel Valcazar II, USD Student

San Diego is home to one of the International Rescue Committee’s 22 United States resettlement offices, which together have helped 20,000 newly arrived refugees resettle upon arrival and then navigate their new environment and incorporate into the culture. The goal is to help refugees survive and thrive in the U.S.

Since 2000, IRC San Diego’s Microenterprise Program has helped to start or expand more than 150 refugee-owned small businesses through one-on-one business consulting, technical assistance and business loans up to $15,000.  Currently, the program is assisting many Iraqi refugee entrepreneurs living in El Cajon, a community that has seen more than 8,000 new refugee arrivals over the past three years – for obvious reasons.

IRC’s Microenterprise Program is housed within its Center for Financial Opportunity, a one-stop shop helping refugees with all their small business, financial and employment-related needs.

Newly arrived refugees also get help with housing, health care, nutritious food, English language classes, education for their children, social services, community support, job and computer skills, and legal services toward residency and citizenship.

In order to help refugees thrive, the staff and volunteers seek creative ways to empower those they serve as they embark along the long road of cultural acclimation.

New Roots Community Farm in University Heights is just one example of a creative solution to empower those they serve.  The brainchild of the refugees themselves, the farm provides access to healthy, organic food for the families AND the ability to produce a surplus, which can be sold for income.

The melting pot of more than 80 refugee farmers tend their gardens and their souls as they grow food and grow relationships with other refugee farmers from at least nine different countries. At the farm, they are able to share not only food from their home countries, but similar experiences and feelings, which helps with the isolation that refugees often feel.

You can learn more about IRC’s services and the many ways you can help at their San Diego website: http://www.theirc.org/us-program/us-san-diego-ca. You can also jump right in and get to know the folks who commit themselves to IRC’s goodness by meeting them on September 30. Share in the HOPE, an annual benefit for the International Rescue Committee in San Diego, will be held on Thursday September 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Fairbanks Ranch Clubhouse, 17651 Circa del Norte, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.
The evening will include wine and beer tasting, international foods, music, and a reverse auction in a beautiful lakeside setting. A reverse auction is an opportunity for guests to support specific IRC programs or activities through a bidding process. Last year, they asked guests to bid on the cost of used guitars for their youth music program. Tickets are $100 per person. For more information about this event, contact Sharon Darrough by phone at 619-641-7510 x249 or by email at Sharon.Darrough@theIRC.org or visit the event website.

Article by Lara Ward, University of San Diego Alumni