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If you are wondering how, what and who about microfinance, come to one of our meetings to explore this approach to help entrepreneurs over the world gain a better life for themselves and their children. We invest through KIVA so please be willing to loan $5. We have made two loans so far to women. Come for discussion, updates and sharing of information: We meet in the Fellowship Hall.

Next scheduled meetings:
November 19 - 7:15 p.m.
December 11 - 6:00 p.m.
January 21 - 7:15 p.m.
February 18 - 7:15 p.m.

Nativity Cares Microfinance Group is working with to make loans that change lives. Our first investment went to Mrs. Cao Thi Sen.

Mrs. Cao Thi Sen, 47 years old, is the fifth member of TYM fund. Her husband is a worker, and she sells chickens in the market. Everyday, she carries the chickens to Hanoi to sell. Even though the work is strenuous, she earns more profit than to sell chickens locally. Her current average income is 300 USD/month. She spends her profit in sending her children to school and to furnish her house. Last time, Mrs. Sen borrowed 375 USD. This time, she wants to borrow 575 USD to buy more chickens to sell in the town.

A new venture was started by a group at Nativity people because of interest that grew out of a discussion group who read the book, Three Cups of Tea, One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time written by Greg Moreno and David Oliver Reline. An interest in exploring microfinance was discussed and a meeting date was set to learn what microfinance was all about.

At the first meeting, a collection was taken, we watched a video about weavers in Guatemala, and how small microfinance loans have made a difference in their lives, especially being able to send their children to school or improve their housing conditions. This CD also talked about fair trade products. Another area to explore!!

We went to the KIVA website and looked at entrepreneurs who were asking for loans. The loan amounts requested are from $150 to over $1,000. On KIVA, many lenders can go together to fulfill a loan, their picture and location are noted. It is very interesting and fun to be part of a worldwide community helping others. There are individuals and groups. Groups are individuals who work together to repay the entire amount. The groups function as support for each other and as peers, since the group members all are responsible for their loan. We looked at Central America, some of the new "stans" (formerly part of the Soviet Union), looked at Asia and settled on Mrs. Sen, investing $100. Our second investment of $25 was to Gulnara Gulushova in Azerbaijan. Mrs. Gulushova raises dairy cows and sells milk and yogurt. Our third investment of $100 was to a group of women in Pakistan led by mrs Parveen Nawaz. As a group, they will buy another buffalo to sell its milk, a popcorn maker and fertilizer. We have now made nine loans.

Come and join the fun, and, if you wish, bring $5 to contribute to our next loan.