Today, Lori and I went to a small town called Sabana Grande. We were there to talk to some folks about the possibility of issuing some micro-credit loans to some of the women there. Micro-credit has been used around the world as a very effective way to help people escape the cycle of poverty. As a matter of fact it is seen as the best way. Micro-credit is the idea of loaning no or low interest money to people so they can become small business owners. Lori's non-profit group, Mi Esperanza, began as an organization that did this. Over the past couple of years, they have not been doing it as they have been focusing their efforts on providing free skill training to the women here through classes on sewing, beauty, computers, and pinata making. Also in this time, they have studied the various micro-credit models in an effort to be even more effective when they begin to issue loans again.

Today we met with three people who are interested in bringing the idea to their community. Lori explained to them the process that they will all go through as they together decide if this is a good possibility in this place. Lori shared with them that the first step is for them to share the idea with the women in the community and, if they are interested, invite them to an informational meeting and initial interviews. There is another meeting scheduled for next Friday so that we can hear what response they got and hopefully schedule the informational meeting soon.

My wife is very good at what she does. I love watching her work. I really did marry way up. (Do you think this will win me some brownie points?)

Grace & peace