Thursday, July 29, 2010

Story on Micro Loans

Here's a story about Micro Loans from a farewell card I received.

Sherida began selling tomatoes in 1995, starting her small business with only $10 in working capital. Although her produce sold well, she could never really afford to improve or expand her business; her profits went immediately to fulfilling her family's basic needs. In 1998, Sherida heard from a friend that an organization called FINCA was offering loans to women in the area. Shreida used her first FINCA loan to purchase spare bicycle parts for transporting the tomatoes. She also cultivated her own tomato garden, and was able to afford seeds and insecticides. But perhaps most important, she was able to set aside savings, even after paying school and uniform fees for her children.

Only 4 more days of work left - I'm getting excited!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Thank you OHC

I am just under two months from boarding that plane to Cameroon and have been chipping away at my lengthy to-do list before I go. Excitedly, I have nearly finished my Bellingham bucket list and only have one non-checked item: Pizza & beer at the North Fork Brewery.

This evening marked my last Oral Health Coalition event. Thank you to everyone who turned out for our social and to wish me adieu - you all will be greatly missed. I have so looked forward to every moment & meeting I have been able to spend with all of you OHC members if not only to be further astonished by work that you do. You have made so passionate about oral health and a believer in what a concerned community can accomplish. And for that, and everything else, I am forever grateful.

Good luck collecting dimes :).