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

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

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

The group is organized to help the women involved improve their current situation. If this seems daunting then the results are overwhelming. If you wouldn’t mind, let me take a moment to detail the course of the meeting. There are generally 10-14 women from various backgrounds at each week’s meeting. At first glance, the meeting may seem unorganized but after the initial commotion the meeting progresses steadily. The leader of the group brings the group’s attention to the various topics to be covered and then once this is completed, invites the members to respond or ask questions. This portion of the meeting provides for a unique sharing of best practices and support. Generally, after this portion is completed the members of the group are invited to formally introduce themselves and their business. During this process many of the women share a critical point from their previous week, whether positive or negative. As anyone can expect, their ability to present themselves and their business improves with each meeting. Shortly following this exchange, the leaders will close the meeting and the women will continue talking and sharing where they left off before the meeting. 

What is it about the meeting that is so special, you ask? I would argue it is the level of sincere care and support that each of the women experience with each other. The meetings are an avenue for learning new skills but I believe, more importantly, they are also a place to be uplifted. The women often share that the meeting is something they look forward to throughout the week and that they come into the meeting feeling overwhelmed and come out feeling better. It is through this process that each of the women grows in her own personal confidence and self-sufficiency, thereby allowing each of them to contribute to their community and ultimately to society as a whole. 

If you’re interested in supporting these women they are now holding a weekly showcase for their various goods and services. These will be held each Wednesday evening from 5pm-7:30pm. The location is the YES! Transition Network storefront within the Chula Vista mall. 

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

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

In the following article, Marco Werman from PRI’s The World interviews Smith to find out more about how her involvement in microfinance transformed into an upcoming episode of The Simpsons that will feature Muhammad Yunus. Yeardley speaks of how she was first introduced to microfinance and how she has gotten involved in this anti-poverty movement. For the entire transcript of the audio interview, click here.