DiscoverHope Fund (DHF) is an international development nonprofit promoting abundance for women and their families living in economic poverty through microcredit and sustainable support systems.
TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE
FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
DHF is on a mission for women in poverty to flourish through promoting entrepreneurship, microcredit, education, and training. We don't give handouts, we give "a way of life" where women can use their passions and talents to direct their own life transformations.
Notice something different? As a step toward several ambitious goals in 2010, we are thrilled to give you a first glance of our new logo (above) as we welcome "the new year, the new look." (Created by Thinkstreet with color design by 9066 Productions, Inc.)
DHF is energized to be moving forward into 2010 with many plans for growth as our young organization continues to mature. We are growing like wildfire and we’ve been going through major 2010 planning in the past several months, culminating with a new detailed plan that includes a new website launch early in the new year, focused Team objectives, new events, and much more. We’re expanding our working family and seeking new Team member volunteers to help us take it up a notch in 2010! Do you know anyone who may be looking to contribute their time and expertise as a volunteer? Click here to pass along our opportunities to anyone you think may resonate with who we are and what we do!
Some of our 2010 goals include:
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Funding another 100 microcredit loans in the field
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Providing 300+ additional development classes to help women maximize their skills as entrepreneurs and mothers
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Beginning exploration and vetting for our second Microcredit Plus site in a new country to replicate our work
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Developing our Microcredit Plus Toolkit enabling us to share our model with any community in the world
Recap of Program Achievements
We are proud of the work we’ve accomplished. Thanks to your incredible contributions, DHF continues to open the doors of opportunity for women in economic poverty and you are a part of the fabric of Hope. As this year comes to a close—a year that has been difficult for so many—we give thanks for your help in creating the possibility of abundance for those who seek to grow their businesses, improve their lives, their family's lives, and their communities. Our program achievements include:
- 225 funded loans at an average of $200 per loan
- 100% loan payback success – a true testament to the women’s sense of ownership
- 550 development classes for 1,300 participants (health, literacy, business, artisan skill building, culinary, agriculture/husbandry, personal wellness)
- $5,000 in additional income for women due to skills and knowledge obtained in DHF classes
- 30 families funded for a 7-month health project to construct new stoves, gas escape routes, and home and latrine construction.
DHF in the
Press!
DHF was honored to be included in the recent fabulous e-book release: One Entrepreneurs Journey: 26 Stories from Women on the Road authored by Amber Singleton Riviere of Upstart Smart. This is a really great holiday gift that offers lessons for success from women entrepreneurs and highlights the most powerful lessons they have learned along their journeys. It is packed with insight and best of all, it's FREE, so visit this link to download your copy right now. There is an opportunity to contribute any amount for the book, and if you choose to do so, all of these donations come directly to DiscoverHope Fund thanks to Upstart Smart's desire to give back to women entrepreneurs.
The DHF Story of “how it all began” is also included in the upcoming book, A Cup of Cappuccino for the Entrepreneur's Spirit Volume II. The books will be available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and in selected bookstores by early January as well as in e-book format. The book features entrepreneurs' true stories written to inspire, energize and teach. The stories include adversities, challenges, triumphs, and successes experienced by entrepreneurs to help readers discover passion and basic principles they can use to live their entrepreneurial dream.
We recently completed our Building Homes of Hope project after seven months of hard work to provide health education and infrastructure improvements for 30 families in extreme poverty. Thank you to the generosity of the Firland Foundation and the wonderful donors who supported us through our Building Homes of Hope event, we witnessed some amazing changes that were guided by the power of each family and their visions for wellness. You may download the full Building Homes of Hope report, which includes before-and-after pictures of participating families' homes. In case you don't have the time with the busy holidays, a few of the key improvements are listed here:
BEFORE AFTER
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100% of the families constructed closed wood fire stoves with chimneys for gas escape and home ventilation
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97% of the family added plastic sheeting to their roofs to create natural illumination and warmth in the kitchen
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96% of the families painted their rooms to reduce dust and debris in the air
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97% of the families created a hygiene corner for washing hands and brushing teeth
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97% of the families now have a clean latrine with a cover to avoid open exposure of toxic bathroom waste to children
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93% of the families now consume boiled water
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80% of the families constructed cages for animals to separate them from kitchens and bedrooms
Thank you for your continued support, spirit, and generosity. On behalf of the DHF staff, Board, and Volunteer Family, we send you loving wishes for a restful winter season.
With the essence of Gratitude.
Maggie Miller, Founder/Executive Director
DiscoverHope Fund
GIVE THE GIFT OF HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Donate a microloan or sponsor a class in honor of someone you love-we'll send them a personalized card!
Support a woman's business. With a microloan of $100, a woman can start a business, producing income she can use to feed her children and send them to school.
Sponsor a development class. Help create educational opportunities to maximize the potential of women's entrepreneurial and personal skills.
Remember, your gifts are tax deductible for 2009 until midnight on Thursday Dec 31!
Want to connect with DHF?
We invite you to witness the living layers of DiscoverHope Fund on the Adventures in Hope Blog
Join us on Facebook! Just click on the icon. Stay plugged into our work in the field.
THANK YOU TO 2009 Founding
Seeds of Hope Society Members who pledged a 3-year giving commitment:
Walter Miller
Leif Allred and Laura Pressley
Marty & Liz Miller
Amy Bryant and Palo Chalupka
Lorna and Peter Francis
Joe Zawacki
Kevin Koym
Fran Clarke
Barb Miller
Join the Seeds of Hope Society
Want to get involved?
Contact Us and tell us about your passions; we'll find a way to cultivate them as a volunteer!
See our Team Member Vacancies
Host a Supper Circle party with friends
Attend events and meet interesting, globally oriented, socially conscious people who like to have fun!
Visit us at: www.lendhope.org