http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com This Blog Supports: Kiva.org Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:58:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en In high school (early 1990s for me), I remember rich and famous people like Bill Gates and Ophrah visiting poor people around the world.  They made donations, gave speeches, started foundations and were hailed as making a difference.  However, there seemed to be a large gulf between "them" (rich, famous ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/10/08/kiva-empowering-individuals-and-groups-to-be-international-financiers/ To take a broader view, microfinance is one piece of the puzzle of poverty and other social problems.  This week, I would like to share a great site, Stanford Social Innovation Review, which has many news, research articles, and links to leading nonprofits, foundations and social businesses. There are a couple ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/09/22/stanford-social-innovation-review-site-of-the-week/ Adelante Foundation features a series of stories on their microfinance programs in Honduras on their relatively new blog. Meet members of the staff, volunteers and the local clients who are harnessing their microloans to build new businesses.  You can read about preparations for Dia del Niño, or Children’s Day ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/09/08/site-of-the-week-adelante-foundation-honduras-microfinance/ Kiva now offers another exciting way to become part of the microfinance community.  You can team up with friends, classmates or co-workers to form a community group that can pool money together for a loan. A class of students can gain insight into microfinance and the challenges of the developing world ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/09/06/kiva-communities/ Seattle is more than a pioneer in coffee and software - it is also a vibrant hub in the world of microfinace. The Seattle Microfinance Blog  covers local microfinance events, microfinance job postings like Kiva Fellows, and international news such as Mercy Corps efforts to arrange micro-mentors for aspiring entrepreneurs in ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/09/04/site-of-the-week-see-more-at-semo-seattle-microfinance/ One obvious way to find other microfinance blogs is through Google. You can also do a blog specific search on Google. One of my favorite's is Grameen Foundation grameenfoundation.wordpress.com. They don't have excessive posts, so it is always something intere3sting when they do. Technorati is one of the best places ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/08/30/how-to-find-microfinance-blogs/ What does football have to do with microfinance? A "cheap" ticket for an NFL game can easily cost $80 or more. That same $80 would be the typical loan amount for a micro-entrepreneur starting her small business. While a small craft or livestock business may not be ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/08/28/football-season-and-microfinance/ How can the reach of microfinance expand beyond tiny loans? What are the limits of microfinance? Most of microfinance has focused on micro-businesses with one employee. The additional income can make a great income to the family - can pay for school fees and can improve shelter and food quality. ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/08/18/microfinance-plus-beyond-the-microbusiness/ 1) Tell your friends - (in a casual way, not preachy) 2) Include your blog or a link to a microfinance organization like Grameen Foundation or Kiva in your email signature. 3) Send an e-card on special occasions, like the Grameen Foundation ecard for Mother's Day. 4) Make a Kiva.org loan to honor ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/08/18/microfinance-5-ways-to-spread-the-word/ Online, several friends and I "fight" for GrameenFoundation.org and other organizations using the Cool Duels Facebook application. This game allows you to raise awareness for the environment by sending EcoGifts [animated icons of environmentally friendly objects] and also raise funds and awareness for your favorite cause such as Grameen Foundation. [Disclaimer: I ... http://microfinance.mylocalcause.com/2008/08/15/play-the-cool-duels-application-to-raise-awareness-for-microfinance/