Grameen Foundation : Get involved : What Friends are Saying : SAMOSA's Story
Villanova University's SAMOSA's Story
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SAMOSA Volunteers |
Villanova University's SAMOSA (South Asian Multicultural Organized Students Association) organized a successful Basketball Tournament which raised $2500 for the Grameen Foundation. The tournament was held on March 24th in the Villanova Pavilion where 4-6 half court games took place at any given time. We had over one hundred twenty participants and volunteers at our tournament from Villanova as well as surrounding schools from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. In addition, we received generous donations from multiple academic departments and local businesses. Our tournament greatly exceeded expectations, and all the revenue obtained was given to the Grameen Foundation.
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SAMOSA Basketball Tournament |
As an organization, the mission of Villanova SAMOSA is to bring cultural awareness and education to university students as well as to make thoughtful contributions to the South Asia region. A charity fundraiser is held annually, and a different charitable cause is chosen each year. Traditionally, we have hosted a basketball tournament as our fundraising event, while the spirit of the NCAA Basketball Tournament is alive at our school. When voting upon the charity to which we would donate, the Grameen Foundation was suggested by one of our executive board members who heard that the Grameen Bank, from which this organization is inspired, had recently won the Nobel Prize. After researching the Grameen Foundation and its cause, we knew immediately that we wanted to be a part of it.
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SAMOSA Basketball Tournament Winners |
The Grameen Foundation tackles the most serious issue affecting South Asia, poverty, and it does so in a way that empowers the impoverished. By providing them with the resources to change their lives at a fundamental level, instead of simply feeding them and sustaining them for only a limited time, the organization maintains the dignity of the people of South Asia and allows them to become self-reliant. As the proverb goes, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." We thank the Grameen Foundation for all it has done, and we look forward to working with them in the future. We would also like to say a special thanks to our executive board members who put their hearts into organizing the Basketball Tournament: Candace Headen, Sarav Shah, and Shreya Trivedi.
Grameen Foundation : Get involved : What Friends are Saying : SAMOSA's Story
Grameen Foundation uses microfinance and innovative technology to fight global poverty and bring opportunities to the world's poorest people. With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women, start businesses and escape poverty. Our global network of 55 microfinance institution (MFI) partners including our Growth Guarantee partners has touched more than 34 million people in 24 countries. In addition, we introduced and now sustain technology initiatives (Mifos and Village Phone) in Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, bringing our total country outreach to 28.
+1-202-628-3560 www.grameenfoundation.org
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