Grameen Foundation : Resource Center : Print Newsletter : Fall 2007 : President's Message
President's Message
In the middle of our tenth anniversary year, GF shows no signs of slowing down.
If you asked me one year ago where I hoped we would growour “impact footprint,” my answer would have been emphatic—Africa. We had gained confidence by working in the continent’s most populated country—Nigeria—to help our local partner Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) grow from 15,000 clients to more than 96,000 as of June 2007. Taking further action, my colleague Deb Burand led a team of volunteers and staff to map out a bold new strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, setting ambitious goals including reaching 350,000 additional poor families. In this issue, you’ll find a special section dedicated to our progress in the plan’s first year. Africa is already benefiting from an expansion of our Village Phone initiative, Growth Guarantees program and world class technical assistance team of staff and volunteers.
In the middle of our tenth anniversary year, GF shows no signs of slowing down. We are partnering with Sing for Hope, which was co-founded by Monica Yunus, featuring the talents of artists from across the country. The event takes place on October 12 in New York City and promises to be a celebration of microfinance, education, and a future where there is no poverty. To get involved, please visit www.grameenfoundation.org/singforhope. In this issue, you can also read about the volunteer efforts of entrepreneur Joseph Noble, learn how Mifos is revolutionizing the way MFIs do business, and follow the travels of long-time GF volunteer Meera Gandhi on her trip to a Moroccan MFI. Altogether, this issue is filled with new developments, exciting news and plans for progress toward an end to poverty.
Grameen Foundation : Resource Center : Print Newsletter : Fall 2007 : President's Message
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.
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