Adventures in Hope: Stories of DiscoverHope

YEAR IN REVIEW: CELEBRATING 2012 WITH ABUNDANCE & GRATITUDE!

2013-04-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hello DHF Family,

This is an exciting time for all of us here in Peru and back in the United States. With so many new and motivating things occurring right here, right now, I think it’s only fair to rewind and reflect on our amazing accomplishments in 2012. With that said, I am excited to announce that our 2012 DHF ANNUAL REPORT is ready for review! As you peruse the report, please realize that this document is a living testament of our incredible labor of love due in part to your generous time, talent, donations, and unwavering commitment to bring opportunities of abundance to the women of Cajamarca.

Since 2008, we’ve provided more than 1,200 loans and funded over 2,400 development trainings related to business assistance, literacy, computer skills, family wellness, culinary, and artisanship. Some of the 2012 highlights include:

510 ADDITIONAL LOANS BORROWED – 30% increase over prior year

$65 AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS PER CYCLE – 71% increase over prior year

942 TRAININGS OFFERED – a 20% increase over prior year

$11,886 IN REPORTED EARNINGS FROM TRAININGS –163% increase over prior year

100% LOAN PAYBACK – maintained since 2008

Visit to Village Bak "Friends Forever" with Maggie, Des, and Hector

The past month has also brought us plenty of insight about the direction of our village banking project here in Cajamarca. Our vision has always been centered on building a path to sustainability in which our partner, MULTICREDIT, has both the knowledge and the autonomy to run a local project incorporating our unique MicrocreditPLUS Model. During Maggie and Hector´s 10 day visit in April we spent a majority of our time in the field visiting village banks and in the office developing a roadmap for success that will allow us to slowly transition over project power to our partner and ensure that the HopeHouse, our educational center, maintains a long-term local presence in Peru for years to come.

As a part of this plan, a decision was made to bring in additional support in the form of two new local positions held by two of the strongest, most inspiring Cajamarcan women I know: Sarela Tirado Vasquez, our new HopeHouse Administrative Assistant and Rosario "Charo" Yupanqui Linares, our new Community Education Coordinator. This decision moves us two steps further to fulfilling our goal of giving total power to the local community. Both women started out as active village bank members serving on their bank´s internal committees as both president and treasurer. Now they are our newest addition to the project helping me identify new instructors, affordable materials, new class ideas, and new markets for our loan recipient´s products and services. With their help this year we are going to revamp our class line-up incorporating new themes like nutrition, leadership, technology, parenting, and business assistance.

So as we begin this exciting new chapter I invite you all to get on board and witness HOPE in action.

Best,

Des

http://www.lendhope.org/what-we-do/2012-annual-report

Crochet and Computers

2013-01-31T10:22:00.001-08:00

Hello DHF Family,

January has come and gone….REALLY FAST! During the past three weeks I’ve had the chance to visit 13 of our 26 banks asking our women about their progress. You can see the glimmer of hope in their eyes and the happiness they feel to be a part of a group that encourages growth and abundance. What always amazes me is how popular our crochet classes are. Although we are on hiatus until March 1st the majority continue to manufacture an assortment of clothes from ponchos to sweaters and baby blankets. Although it’s technically summer here in Cajamarca the temperature can drop easily to 30ºF at night making warm clothes a necessity and in really high demand. The most common questions I’ve been asked is when do crochet classes begin and will the same instructor join them for the year.

In addition to crochet, I’m currently strategizing how we can offer basic computer classes for members. I’ve received so many requests for classes because women want to be connected to the Internet and social media outlets like FaceBook but more importantly, they are eager to help their children complete homework assignments. One idea would be to rent an Internet Café three times a week in the afternoons for a month at a time. The second would be to collect used or new laptops and organize a small computer lab here in the HopeHouse for 10 students at a time. In twelve sessions, women could learn basic computer operations, how to navigate the Internet, create an e-mail account and use basic social media.

As we now move into February I’ll be hard at work developing our program of activities and revamping our PLUS component. I’ll be sure to fill you in on the changes.

Best,

Des

2013: The Year of Sustainability and Adventure Stories

2013-01-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

Des outside of the HopeHouse. Just a small piece of a gigantic puzzle
called "Sustainable Village Banking Project".

Greetings DHF Family!

Almost two years and four months ago to the date, I began an incredible journey that lead me back to Peru and eager to discover what life would be like helping women “RE”-discover their paths to spiritual and financial abundance. Boy what a journey it has been to say the least. Our village banking project has grown from a bouncy baby girl to a rambunctious preteen and into a spirited, strong-willed señorita ready to spread her wings and fly. I personally have grown both professionally and psychology and feel priveleged to now be a honorary member of the Cajamarcan community.

Now 26 village banks, 264 loan recipients, 1,200 loans and 2,000 educational trainings strong, our local partner (MULTICREDIT) and staff are even more committed to making sure our women receive the resources and the “know how” to become successful entrepreneurs and leaders. 2013 marks a pivotal year for all of us. As DHF begins to ever so gently hand over project leadership to MULTICREDIT, we hope that all of you will take an active role witnessing what true sustainability can look like and become over time.

In the past our “Adventure in Hope” blog was a portal that allowed you to experience a typical day-in-the-life of our village banking project in Cajamarca. Starting today I’d like to rekindle this practice and have you see first-hand what your support albeit donations, volunteering, prayers, and well wishes have done for the women I now call family. Let’s make 2013 an OUTSTANDING year! I encourage you all to share our adventure stories with your friends and family and get the word our about our very important labor of lover here in Peru.

Best,

Des

Reflection

2012-10-12T08:39:00.003-07:00

Hello DHF Family,

It’s been almost a week since Maggie, John, and Hector left Cajamarca and not a minute passes when one of our loan recipients taps me on the shoulder and asks, “When is the team coming back?” Here in the HopeHouse our entire staff feels re-energized and ready to bring on the New Year.

I’m so grateful to the “CREW” (as I call them) for taking the time out of their busy schedules and traveling over 4,000 miles to visit the village banking project. My personal philosophy has always been that there are no coincidences in life but rather a Divine Order to our lives and the choices we make. After working here for more than two years, I truly believe that the fabric that ties all of us together-our local staff, the Board, DHF donors, volunteers, and blog readers- is this project and the countless people we serve.

I also believe we all understand the importance of providing impoverished women with microloans, education, and access to opportunities that enable these same women to become self-reliant and abundant; but when you see it firsthand, something magical happens. Little girls sitting side-by-side with their mothers witnessing a repayment meeting. A village bank member holding her new loan money in hand contemplating her next purchase for her business. A student proudly displaying a new sweater she crocheted in community classes for her daughter when five months ago she didn’t even know how to use a crochet needle. A woman with her children crying tears of joy and appreciation for being given the opportunity to dream and create a vision for herself and her family.

It was truly a pleasure and an honor to bear witness to the hundreds of “light bulb” moments John, Maggie, and Hector experienced while in Cajamarca. Seeing their special moments gave way to my own and provided me with a sense of validation that yes, indeed all the hard work, the countless office hours, the dozens of guinea pigs and potatoes eaten, the hundreds of miles walked, and the thousands of personal conversations has been worth it.

I’m looking forward to meeting firsthand the countless DHF donors and supporters on October 25^th that make this project a reality.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend and know how truly grateful we all are to have you in our lives. You are truly appreciated!

Best,

Des

Gratitude.

2012-10-05T10:37:00.001-07:00

Gratitude.

Celebration.

Presence.

Opportunity.

These are the reminders and gifts given to me on this journey. This is a pocket of time in my Heart I will never forget.

I am deeply energized about our work and the power of local women leading their charge. Watching village banks function with joy and integrity, it is obvious to me this notion of “DiscoverHope” has a life of its own. I guess it’s as close as I know to watching my child grow. Seeing the women in their groups with their wings of strength…well this makes every second of every year worth it.

I hope you all get to join us on Oct 25 at our gala for several reasons. Desiree, our Country Director here in Peru, will be with us. She is a living, breathing example of courage and positive power. Her everyday is spent giving women opportunity. To be with her alone and hear her is a gift.

Bringing John and Hector to this special place has been the best possible thing for me personally and the movement of our project. They are both incredible thinkers and empathetic Hearts. Knowing that they are part of the fabric of moving our work to a level where it can sustain itself here in this community…well this is a contribution to the lives of families that will never be the same.

This journey I’ve gotten to see them witnessing the valor of women. To watch them watching and participating in this work and to see us all changing before our very eyes is just something I can never ever forget.

My commitment to giving women doors of opportunity through microcredit and education is as formidable as ever.

And the greatest teachers of everyday have been the community of love and Presence the women give to one another and us. This is a level of loving I hope to achieve in my lifetime.

Blessings from the Heart,

Maggie

Ojos (eyes)

2012-10-05T06:00:00.006-07:00

I have left Cajamarca for my return trip to Austin. Maggie and Hector are staying a couple of days more for a few more bank visits. As I sit here in the Lima airport, reflecting on my trip, I struggle for words.

It’s impossible for me to describe my experience here. Just as anyone tries to describe a watershed moment in life, words are inadequate. So I thought I’d share a few photos and an observation that Hector made our first day in Cajamarca.

We were greeted on our first night at the Hope House by a group of women from different village banks. They stayed late after a sewing class to share some of their creations with us. Each in turn told a bit of their personal story and their experience of the DiscoverHope program.

Hector observed later that the women who had been part of our program for several loan cycles were more confident and looked us in the eyes as they were talking. Many of the women in earlier loan cycles were more uncertain and looked at the floor while they spoke.

I became much more aware as the week went on, who would look me in the eyes when we met or spoke.

One of our bank officers, Carina, repeated the familiar phrase several times this week,

“Los ojos son la ventana del alma.” or

“The eyes are the window to the soul.”

I will try again in the coming days to describe my experience here, but right now, I am at a loss.

Instead, I’d like to share a few photos from the week.

I hope their eyes convey some of what we experienced this week.

In gratitude,

John

Generations

2012-10-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

Today we had the opportunity to visit with the incredible women of the village bank Bendicion de Dios (God’s Blessings). This bank is sponsored by Hart InterCivic through our Legacy Program, which provides funds for loans and trainings to our village banks.

What an incredible impact these training programs and loans have had on this group of women and their families. Only in their fourth loan cycle, the bank is successful and thriving. Many of the women in the bank did not know how to crochet before joining this village bank. After training programs provided by DiscoverHope, the women are very accomplished with their crochet. They were very proud to show us the blankets, sweaters, and shawls that they’ve created with their new-found skills. This provides them another source of funds if they sell their creations in the market; however, many of the women now make these clothes for their children. It is truly a special gift to give someone a new skill that provides them with a creative outlet as well as a source of income.

Today we watched a loan repayment meeting, where the women members come together to make payments against their outstanding loan balance. This is how banking happens with the poor. They gather in homes to meet, share food, crochet, and perform the business of banking. It’s a joyous celebration as the women approach the table to make the payment, they dance or strut to the table to break the ice and get them out of their comfort zone. So much of this process is about increasing their confidence and self-esteem and helping them realize that they are powerful and capable business-women. One of the most inspirational images of today was a little girl sitting at the bank table next to her mother who is one of the bank officers. She held one of the bank cards in which the women record their payments and keep their bank balance. This is an extremely important document and a great source or pride for these women. The booklet documents their path from the roles of the unbanked poor to micro-entrepreneur with a credit history and a track record of successful borrowing and repayment.

What incredible role model that this young mother was for her daughter, providing an example of responsibility, initiative, and hard work. I am incredibly humbled to witness the impact on future generations of women in this community.

These women were so genuinely grateful for the loans and trainings provided by DiscoverHope through the Hart Legacy sponsorship of Bendicion de Dios.

Many thanks to Hart InterCivic for its generous support in sponsoring this village bank and transforming the lives of not only these bank members but also future generations of aspiring women entrepreneurs. This sponsorship has touched the lives of these women in a profoundly powerful way.

John

The Question Game.

2012-10-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I blog for DiscoverHope. It is very fitting that this writing is happening exactly on the anniversary of the very first event I attended for this wonderful organization: Band Together For Hope. A year later, I am typing away from the courtyard of a hotel in Cajamarca, Peru, DiscoverHope’s birth place.

Why am I involved with this organization? As a Latino, I was very moved by the fact that the founder and all its “Boardies” were not. How could a woman that had no connection to the Latino culture be so dedicated to empowering women living in poverty in Latin America? I had to learn more about it and I had to get involved. I thank Maggie for inviting me to witness the progress of the program and to meet the women we are empowering.

The first item on the schedule was a visit to the Hope House. This is the development center where all the education and support happens for our women. There are many Microcredit organizations around the world, but DiscoverHope goes a step further and provides education that teaches women real world skills that they can apply to starting their own businesses. This is our Microcredit Plus model, pioneered by Maggie Miller.

We walked in to a sewing class where women were learning the necessary skills to start their own businesses. I must say that nothing could have prepared me to deal with the emotions that flowed within me. All of the sudden, I knew exactly why I needed to make this trip.

The class was waiting for us with their new sewing machines that they had purchased by fundraising on their own. The machines will allow them to create clothing they will sell in their businesses. The pride that the women showed in their faces was very moving. A lot of these women deal with domestic issues and discrimination on a daily basis. Machismo in this country, as in many others around the world, is very much alive and a harsh reality for women. On paper, it is easy to understand why these women benefit from a program such as DiscoverHope. The reality, and real value in my opinion, is what a chart or report can’t show you. These women are full of pride, perseverance, strength, and hope. One by one, they introduced themselves to us they told us about how DiscoverHope gave them the tools to learn skills that sparked their own businesses. What I saw is their confidence to look at our eyes and speak with pride about their accomplishments: This is priceless. Their kids, and especially their daughters, can grow up knowing that they can have their own power.

Everybody that knows Maggie knows that she is an amazing human being. Spending time in Cajamarca, witnessing the impact that she has had in this community is a truly humbling experience. Those of us lucky enough to be close to her know that she challenges us to grow every day. You can count on having a “Daily Question” from Maggie right before the end of any day. While at dinner, John and I got our “Question” for the day. Her question was, “After your first day in Cajamarca, what is one thought you would like to share?”

After a day full of mixed emotions, I actually had been thinking about my answer to her question right after we visited The HopeHouse. My answer was: After talking to the women we help, after listening to their stories, after witnessing the impact that we are having in their lives, … how could life, for me, could ever be the same? We all have problems in our own lives. It all seems so insignificant compared to the challenges that these women live with every day.

I definitely know why I am part of this organization. I know why I had to make this trip. But, most importantly, I know why I was afraid to come here. I have been “asleep” for so long, worried only about myself. This trip, already on the first day, awakened me into reality and purpose. I welcome you to dig deep and realize that, if you are even reading this note, you are a very fortunate person.

I look forward to sharing more from my experience in Cajamarca through this blog and in person at the Gala on October 25^th.

Con mucho amor,

Hector

Spirit of Partnership...

2012-09-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

We’ve had an amazing start to our journey in Cajamarca. The women of the DiscoverHope village banks have greeted us with unbelievable openness and generosity. As we settle into our journey this week, we have much to do in addition to visiting the women of the village banks and taking in local sights.

One of the objectives of our visit is to continue to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program in Cajamarca. Sustainability is a critical component of our Loan – Learn – Lead - Legacy model. By transitioning the local administration of training and loans to local partners, we create a Legacy of the MicrocreditPLUS infrastructure in Cajamarca. As our clients complete each loan cycle, they build their credit history. Once they have reached their 9^th loan cycle, they will “graduate” to more traditional banking service organizations with a history of consistent savings. We’re currently in our 6^th loan cycle with 5 of our banks, so our first banks are only a few years from graduating!

During our visit, we are meeting with our local partner, Multicredit, to monitor the progression of our clients in their loan and savings path. We are working with Multicredit to continue to assume additional ownership for the program as it grows.

Enclosed is a team picture at our kick-off dinner with our Mutlicredit partners. We’re also meeting with our village bank officers (promotoras) and Desiree, our Field Manager, and other key staff contributors to make sure they continue on the path of advancement. These are important tenants of the Lead and Legacy pillars of our model.

We appreciate your continued support as we help create a sustainable Microcredit PLUS infrastructure in Northern Peru!

John, Hector, and Maggie

Final Preparations for Cajamarca Trip!

2012-09-26T07:45:00.001-07:00

Only a few days until Maggie, Hector and I travel to Cajamarca to visit the incredible women of DiscoverHope Fund!

We’ve been preparing for this trip the past couple of months. Over that time, I have had the opportunity to talk to people about our trip, why we’re going and who we’re going to visit and I occasionally get the question, “Why Peru?”, or “Why not somewhere closer to home or in the U.S.?” Good questions. Peru is a long way from Austin, TX.

While we do have roots in Peru because Maggie lived and worked there for 2 years, that doesn’t answer the question of why we stay there. We could have moved or chosen a different location to develop our MicroCredit PLUS model, but we didn’t.

We’re there because we have the ability to facilitate huge change in people’s lives with a relatively small investment. We’re there because a loan of just $100 to a women who lives on less than $2 / per day is life changing. It’s a place where $25 provides a training course for a room full of our clients who are eager to learn. It’s a place where there is no other microcredit alternative for the poorest of the poor. And it’s a place where women want and need what we provide.

DiscoverHope -- this tiny little grass-roots non-profit in Austin, TX, that is continually lifted up by you, our steadfast supporters, generous donors and tireless volunteers, is literally changing the lives of thousands of people for the better. We’re developing and perfecting a model that can be used again and again in any part of the world. And our first site is in the northern highlands of Peru where we can support our clients in making a huge impact on their own lives and those of their families.

In a few days, Maggie, Hector and I will be ambassadors for the entire family of DiscoverHope supporters as we visit the towns and villages where lives have been changed. Having been involved with DiscoverHope for almost 5 years now, I am humbled and honored to make this trip and very excited to see the faces or our clients, hear their experiences, and share in their hardships and successes, if only for a few days.

I think the famous quote by Margaret Mead embodies the spirit of both our DiscoverHope supporters and the incredible women we serve:

"Never underestimate the power of a small, dedicated group of people to change the world; indeed, that is the only thing that ever has."

In gratitude,

John

Voyage to Peru & Annual Gala on Oct 25

2012-09-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Dear DiscoverHope Family,

As we prepare for the annual DiscoverHope gala on October 25, I wanted to write you personally as I prepare for a return trip to Cajamarca Peru from Sept 27-Oct 7. This time, I am honored to share the journey with my fellow Board superstars, incredible Board Chair John Thornborrow and new Boardie positive powerhouse Hector Dominguez.

I truly hope you can join us at the gala where we will be returning from fresh inspiration and community building in the northern Andes. I am so privileged to take this voyage with these two mentors and friends.

John has been at the Heart of DiscoverHope since shortly after our formation as a nonprofit in 2006. He is one of the most committed and compassionate people I know and has led our Board with absolute vision for many years. John and his family are Legacy Donors who support an entire community village bank of women to receive several loans a year as well as customized business support to maximize their education and resourcefulness. I am truly excited for John to be greeted by their bank of women (El Girasol “The Sunflowers”) and their families out in the field. We will be sure to capture the beautiful images for the gala!

Hector entered our Board family with absolute dynamism this past spring. He brings the core leadership of a practiced and successful entrepreneur who marries his passions of technology and social impact. There’s nothing more inspirational than learning from a World Changer who sees tech as a solution to give power to help people globally. It will be quite an experience to watch him in our computer classes and marvel at effect that $100 microloan can have for an entrepreneur.

For DiscoverHope, this trip is about the beginning of a discussion about transition into local sustainability. Our view is that good international development means you give the power to people to use facilitate their enterprise. Sustainability for us is not only about finances; it is about community well-being and leadership. We will begin the conversation with our local partner to hire a local woman organizer to take the helm of HopeHouse program development in the field. Des (our Program Director from US who lives in the field) will step out of this role into more of a governance role and train the locals to begin to assume coordination and management.

My very first days in Peru were accented by powerful women making the most unselfish of choices to raise their children on $2 a day. One unmistakable pattern I will never forget in the hundreds of life-changing conversations was that every woman spoke of her absolute willingness and desire to give her family a future. Give a handUP, not a handout. Give the power to make a sustainable life for children.

And here we are! I can’t wait to write you from the field. Stay tuned and so hope you can join us on Oct 25 to celebrate women entrepreneurs both inAustin and beyond.

Loving Always!

Maggie

DiscoverHope Founder

You Are Invited to An Evening in the Andes - Oct 25

2012-08-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

We are so grateful for the generous support of our Presenting Sponsors

www.hartintercivic.com

www.verdtek.com

Thank you to the many organizations and individuals who support DiscoverHope through their donations to our live and silent auctions.

Success, Sustainability, and Smiles

2012-08-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hello DHF Family,

Greetings from wintery Cajamarca! Its times like these that I long for a day in the warm summer sun back in Texas with a cheesecake snow cone in hand. Here in the HopeHouse we’re currently in our 6^th month of educational trainings and I thought it would be great to highlight our greatest achievements to date.

*100% Payback Rate Maintained

*26 active village banks, 5 founded earlier this year

* 266 loan recipients

*305 educational trainings in the HopeHouse and in Community

*199 Business Assistance activities

*$6,304.00 recorded profits due to educational trainings

*$1,920.00 recorded savings due to educational trainings

Sewing Students presenting their handmade skirts.

None of these achievements would be possible without the support of our local partner, Multicredit, and our hardworking staff, Berth and Karina. Now in our third year, not only have the number of village banks, loan recipients, and trainings doubled, but our commitment to long term sustainability and ownership is more solid than ever.

Natividad proudly displaying her business

As we approach 2013, DHF will begin planning our most important step thus far in which we will slowly begin to hand over administrative and financial responsibility to Multicredit. Doing so fulfills our mission of providing local institutions in Latin America with the knowledge and “know-how” to sustainably manage village banking projects utilizing our Microcredit PLUS Model.

To make this goal a reality, I’m excited to announce that Founder, Maggie Miller; Board President John Thornborrow; and our newest Board Member, Hector Dominguez will travel to Cajamarca, Peru at the end of September to witness first-hand the power of microloans and education.

I continue to be amazed at how our family of donors and supporters continue to grow and inspire me on a daily basis. Thanks for your prayers, well wishes, and unwavering belief in our mission. Such positive energy keeps me strong and proud to be part of this amazing labor of love.

Rosa finishing her embroidery.

Happy Friday and Well Wishes to All!

Des

Save the Date: Gala & Auction, October 25

2012-08-10T12:24:00.003-07:00

Celebrating the Red and White

2012-07-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello DHF Family,

Yanet is located in the center with the pale blue sweater.

Here in Cajamarca everyone seems to be counting down to Fiestas Patrias or Peruvian Independence Days. Yes, you read correctly—DAYS. Peru celebrates both the 28^th and 29^th allowing Peruvians to plan much needed vacations and spend quality time with friends and family. In every small town and big city municipalities organize parades, arrange fireworks displays, and adorn the streets with Peruvian Flags.

In honor of Fiestas Patrias, I would like to celebrate the spirit of solidarity, dedication, and resolve by sharing a quick story about Village Bank “United Women” (aptly titled). Two weeks ago the bank’s youngest member, 18 year-old Yanet, suffered a horrible tragedy. In the early morning hours of the 6^th, Yanet’s three month-old baby girl, Sayuri, was severely burned in a house fire. Due to the severity of the burns, Baby Sayuri faded into a deep coma and passed away on July 13^th.

Village Bank Promotora Bertha frying picarones.

Yanet was devastated. Her village bank knew she would be unable to pay her loan and cover burial expenses at the same time. So in the spirit of hope and solidarity, they rallied together and decided to organize a series of fundraisers in Sayuri’s name. This past Tuesday, in collaboration with the entire Village Banking Staff, we held our first “picaronada” in the famous Plazuela San Pedro, located a mere block from the HopeHouse. Picarones are delicious fried doughnuts made from flour, sweet potatoes, yeast, and lots of sugar. Once fried, a sweet syrup made from sugar cane juice and cinnamon is drizzled on top. From 2:00Pm until 10:00PM we sold more than 300 portions of picarones and raised over S/. 300, enough to cover her loan payment for July. The group is planning a second fundraiser after the holidays. That night we all left motivated, relieved, and in high spirits. As we draw near the end of the month, keep Yanet and the entire Village Bank “United Women” in your thoughts and prayers
.

First sale of the day!

Best,

Des

Legacy Sponsorship = Sustainability, Personal Connections & Lives Changed

2012-07-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

Incredible advances in technology have been invented and become ubiquitous entirely in our lifetimes. From advent of the internet, to the introduction of instant communications, to Mobile phones, YouTube, social media, iPads, personal computers, and countless other connected personal devices – it’s all happened in the last 30-40 years. Sometimes the flood of information from a myriad of media sources can feel overwhelming. But today’s technology continues to bring the citizens of the world closer together and allows us to share experiences with family, friends and also total strangers all over the world – instantly.

As I enter my 5th year as a supporter of DiscoverHope and my 3rd year as BoardPresident, I am forever grateful that the technology explosion has actually allowed us to create a very personal connection to the work we do and to the women we serve.

I am especially proud of the launch of our new Legacy Program, which allows donors to fund a village bank of 10-12 women for an entire year through a $5,000 donation. This sponsorship provides funds for all of the trainings, bank loans, and administration for the entire year and allows for complete sustainability for the village bank. In return for the sponsorship, the donor receives quarterly updates, letters, pictures and videos on the bank’s progress.

El Girasol Village Bank, Sponsored by the Thornborrow Family

My family and I are proud to be the sponsors of El Girasol Village Bank (The Sunflower) for 2012. These powerful and glorious women work very hard to create a better life for their families. Their businesses range from creating specialty crochet clothing to animal husbandry to the sale of beauty products. We’re proud to support their efforts and to share in their experience as entrepreneurs and business-women. We especially appreciate our regular updates on the bank members’ progress, successes, and sometimes setbacks.

The connection we gain through the Legacy program with the women of El Girasol goes well beyond a sponsorship. It allows us to also experience their experience.

It reminds me every day of how similar we are -- the humans on this planet. We all want the best opportunities we can create for ourselves and our families. Mothers want their children to be fed, loved, and to get the best education possible. Fathers want a better life for their children than they had. Everyone wants the opportunity to express themselves through their own creations. And given the opportunity, most people will work very hard to make that opportunity a reality.

El Girasol's Village Bank Profile

I am grateful everyday for the incredible gifts I have been given in my life and it makes me want to invest, in whatever small way I can, in another person realizing their dreams, no matter how far away they may be. If technology has shown us anything, it’s that we’re all connected in more ways than we think. And that we’re not really as different as we sometimes think we are.

There are many more village banks awaiting sponsorship through the DiscoverHope Legacy program. You can read about them all on our website. I hope you’ll consider joining my family in supporting a village bank for a year. I know you’ll experience joy in watching the steady progress of these women on their journey from poverty to prosperity for their families, and future generations. If you are interested in joining us on this journey, I’d be happy to talk to you personally about the Legacy program.

In gratitude,

John Thornborrow

Board President
DiscoverHope Fund

Band Together for Hope Success

2012-06-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hey Again Friends!

What an incredible time we had last weekend at Band Together for Hope! We could not have been more impressed by the turn out. Thanks to your support, we raised over $10,000 for women in poverty and packed out Ruta Maya with nearly 250 in attendance.

Couldn't attend? Here's a little recap of the night to help you get inspired to donate at www.lendhope.org. Please help us share hope to women in poverty!

We Rocked Out...

...We Sang

We Danced...

...We sold our women's jewelry at the Hope Market

...And most importantly, we had a
rockin' time with great friends!

Check out our Photo Gallery

We are so grateful for our amazing Presenting Sponsors, Consuela and Verdtek. We could not have done this without you!

Also, we want to say a huge THANK YOU to our bands, Del Castillo and Soniquete Duet, for their support and the energy they brought to Band Together for Hope 2012.

Finally, we would like to thank the Band Together for Hope Volunteer Team! Y'all are AMAZING!!

This truly was an inspiring event. We'll see you again next year at our 6th Annual Band Together for Hope! P.S. Save the date for our Gala and Auction, October 25, 2012 at the UT Alumni Center.

Thanks for your support,
Hannah
Social Media and Web Intern

Band Together for Hope is Friday!

2012-06-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hey DiscoverHope Friends and Family!

Anybody wanna dance?! Help us rock out microloans for women in poverty with Del Castillo and Soniquete Duet in concert this Friday night. Get your tickets in advance at www.lendhope.org. Online sales end Thursday night so be sure to buy your tickets soon! Missed the deadline for online ticket sales? No worries, you can also purchase tickets at the door on Friday (credit card, cash and checks accepted).

Click here for a little taste of what Del Castillo has in store for you Friday!

See you Friday,
Hannah
Social Media and Web Intern

Band Together for Hope This Friday

2012-06-11T10:35:00.001-07:00

Hello Again DiscoverHope Friends and Family!!
It's finally the week of Band Together for Hope and we could not be more excited. Besides our obvious thrill for our rockin headliner, Del Castillo, we are most looking forward to seeing each of you Friday.

We would love for you to help us spread the word about Band Together for Hope to your friends and family.

6 WAYS TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT BAND TOGETHER FOR HOPE, JUNE 15:

1. Forward the Constant Contact Invite on to friends, family & co-workers.

If you are subscribed to our e-newsletter, then you should have already received your invitation. Please take a moment to forward it on.

2. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues:

That’s right! Have a face to face conversation & tell them to go to www.lendhope.org to see our event information, purchase tix and make donations.

3. Facebook

Share our Event Page with all your Facebook friends:

https://www.facebook.com/events/459452260750865/

LIKE DiscoverHope’s Facebook page and SHARE our updates

with your friends.

Do frequent shout outs on your Facebook page and/or Google+.

Sample text: “Please join me for DiscoverHope’s 5^th Annual Band Together for Hope fundraiser on Friday, June 15^th featuring Del Castillo with Soniquete Duet. Help us rock out microloans for women in poverty! 100% of proceeds go towards providing microcredit and training for women in poverty to create their own prosperity. Buy your tix at www.lendhope.org or purchase at the door.

4. Follow DiscoverHope’s LinkedIn Page & share posts on your LinkedIn profile:http://www.linkedin.com/company/discoverhope-fund

5. Tweetleedeedleedee, Tweet, Tweet!

Tweet your own or retweet our posts. Make sure to include www.lendhope.org & #bandtogetherforhope. Follow us at http://twitter.com/#!/discoverhope

6. Tell people they can still support DiscoverHope’s efforts with an ONLINE DONATION atwww.lendhope.org, even if they can’t come to our event .

Also, we'd like to let you in on the Inside Scoop. Click "I Like It" on Do512 for a chance to win a free pair of tickets. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

See Y'all Friday,
Hannah
Social Media and Web Intern

Giving Thanks to Villa Milagro & Medical Mission Team

2012-06-06T11:03:00.005-07:00

DHF Family,

Juanita of VB "Friends Forever" waiting for meds

It was a day filled with hope and laughter. Yesterday, DiscoverHope participated in our first ever Medical Mission. Thanks to the generous support of Villa Milagro over 350 of our loan recipients, their children, and family members received free medical attention,vision and dental screenings, vitamins, and prescription meds at Monte Sion Medical Clinic. Women started lining up as early as 6AM and no one was turned away.

Last year I had the great privilege of meeting LarryJohnson, native Texan and co-founder of Villa Milagro Ministries, which provides Cajamarquinos with spiritual and economic support through specialized projects. We made a sweet deal that if I volunteered as a translator, Villa Milagro would invite our loan recipients to participate in a medical mission in 2012. This was probably the best deal I’ve ever made in my life! I'm also extremely grateful to the Mission Team comprised of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, grandmothers, and grandchildren from Arkansa who selflessley and tirelessly gave of themselves. In the end, our women went away happy, relieved, and extremely appreciative to be a part of such an amazing event.

Thanks once again to Villa Milagro for your generous support. This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship!

Monte Sion Medical Clinic

Loan Recipients axiously waiting.

Playing games while waiting in line.

Best,

Des

Rockin' Out Microloans at Band Together for Hope

2012-06-02T23:19:00.003-07:00

Hey DiscoverHope Family!!

The wait is over and our surprise is out. The headliner band for our 5th Annual Band Together for Hope event is... DEL CASTILLO! We hope you are as excited as we are. Here are the event details:

HELP US ROCK OUT MICROLOANS FOR WOMEN IN POVERTY ON JUNE 15!
What: 5th Annual BAND TOGETHER FOR HOPE
When: Friday, June 15, doors open 8pm
Where: Ruta Maya 3601 S. Congress
Presented by: Consuela & VerdTek
Featuring: Soniquete Duet & a sexy, Latin-Flamenco-Rock Headliner (it's a secret until June 3!)
Ticket Info: $20 - tickets go on sale on June 3 atwww.lendhope.org or pay at the door.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook , Twitter (@discoverHOPE), and LinkedIn for on-going event updates.

PURCHASE TICKETS AT WWW.LENDHOPE.ORG

Del Castillo wants YOU to come to Band Together for Hope

See you soon,

Hannah

Social Media and Web Design Intern

Rockin' Out Microloans & Sendin' Mama Some Love

2012-05-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Hey there DiscoverHope family,

Can you believe it? May is almost over and our month of celebrating mothers is coming to an end. Don't fret though, you still have a few days left to send a little love to the mothers in your life by making a donation in her honor at www.lendhope.org

HELP US ROCK OUT MICROLOANS FOR WOMEN IN POVERTY ON JUNE 15!
What: 5th Annual BAND TOGETHER FOR HOPE
When: Friday, June 15, doors open 8pm
Where: Ruta Maya 3601 S. Congress
Presented by: Consuela & VerdTek
Featuring: Soniquete Duet & a sexy, Latin-Flamenco-Rock Headliner (it's a secret until June 3!)
Ticket Info: $20 - tickets go on sale on June 3 at www.lendhope.org or pay at the door.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook , Twitter (@discoverHOPE), and LinkedIn for on-going event updates.

Check out last year's pictures and GET EXCITED!!!

Hannah Dismuke
Band Together for Hope
Social Media & Web Intern

MEET OUR SUMMER INTERN!

Hello DiscoverHope friends and family! My name is Hannah Dismuke and I will be working as the new Social Media and Web Intern this summer along side the wonderful marketing committee for DiscoverHope's 5th Annual Band Together for Hope fundraiser. I could not be more excited to start a new chapter in my life through this opportunity. I am currently a senior entrepreneurship major at Baylor University where I have competed for four years on the Lady Bear soccer team and participated as an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Although I have a passion for athletics, photography, cooking and all things Texas, my heart truly lies in serving others. Ever since I heard about DiscoverHope, I have entirely bought in to the mission for women in poverty to create their own prosperity through microcredit, entrepreneurship, and training. My entire life I have always had big dreams and my greatest hope for the small role I will be playing for this incredible venture is to make the dreams of other women come true as well.

Peace,
Charlotte
Development & Marketing Manager

Celebrating the Joy of Motherhood in Cajamarca!

2012-05-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

Good Morning DHF Family!

After getting some much needed rest and relaxation, I’m excited to share the highlights of our 2^nd Annual Mother’s Day Celebration. Yesterday was a refreshing and very gratifying reminder of why we dedicate so much time and energy into our village banking project here in Cajamarca, Peru. Our women are simply amazing and true testaments of what it means to sacrifice and persevere all in the name of motherhood.

To sum it up in a few words, it was afternoon of pure fun and relaxation. For three hours, more than 215 women from 22 village banks were able to forget about the stresses of raising a family and running a business and simply laugh, play, and spend quality time with their fellow bank members. Women played familiar games such as the egg toss, the balloon run, and the three legged run. They also enjoyed artistic numbers prepared by kids who attend HopeHouse childcare services on a regular basis. The event culminated with a raffle in which we gifted two large baskets filled with rice, sugar, cooking oil, and other essential food staples. I've included a video of the event so you can see first hand how the events unfolded.

Organizing such an event was a huge challenge and required the help of our two Village Bank Promoters, HopeHouse Assistant, a Multicredit Intern, and yours truly. By the end of the day, we had filled 235 glasses of chicha morada (purple corn refreshment) and prepared 250 sandwiches, 300 appetizers, and 350 alfajores (small cookies filled with manjar blanco or dulce de leche).

HopeHouse Kids dancing a huayno for our moms.

For this blog entry we thought it would be interesting to share the thoughts and opinions of our two Village Bank Promoters, Bertha and Graciela, about the event. Both spend the majority of their day helping our members manage their loans and savings accounts and organizing personalized business consultations when challenges arise. Due to the nature of the work, the two have developed a close working relationship with all of our women.

Bertha’s Words:

“Today was such an amazing day for me. When I visit the women’s businesses, they often share the hardships of being a mother. Many of our women are single parents with three of four children. In life we always need a moment to forget our problems and simply relax. Today seeing the faces of our women with smiles and laughter made me feel happy and proud to be a part of this incredible project. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms in the United States!”

Graciela’s Words:

In Peru, Mother’s Day is one of our most important holidays. A mother is the heart of a family. She is responsible for raising the kids, maintaining the household, and often the primary bread winner. Today I was happy to be a part of the event. I had so much fun planning the activities and dancing with the women. I am use to seeing our women hard at work at their businesses and to see them laugh, dance, and play is refreshing. I’m so appreciative that DiscoverHope is helping the women of Cajamarca progress and provide a better future for their children. “

I’d like to end the blog entry thanking all of you for your generous support throughout the year. Our Mother’s Day Celebration would not be possible without you. As you prepare to celebrate the mothers and grandmothers in your life, I hope you also remember the women of Cajamarca who think of all of you on a constant basis.

Best,

Des

2012-04-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day is always a big event at DiscoverHope! 97% of the women we serve are mothers (or grandmothers) and May 13 is a revered Peruvian holiday. Family members from near and far will gather at Mom’s house on Sunday afternoon for a big shared feast. Often the first born child will begin the meal with a tribute toast to mom, thanking her and expressing the family’s adoration. And afterwards – music & dancing!

DiscoverHope is getting into the spirit by honoring our village bank moms on May 9. We’re planning a fun fiesta with games, dancing, singing, and small presents for all the mothers and their families. Afterwards, we’ll post a video (www.lendhope.org) so you can experience the joy of the event.

As you ponder your own expression for Mother’s Day, please consider making a gift to DiscoverHope in honor of a mother in your life and the mothers of DiscoverHope. You can honor a loved one by completing the dedication acknowledgement section on our donation page, and we will send a personalized Mother’s Day letter on your behalf.

DiscoverHope is building a family of inspired people – and nothing is more central to our mission than honoring the mothers we serve, like Rosa Montoya from Village Bank Mujeres Emprendedoras (Women Entrepreneurs). Please join us in celebrating mothers and make a donation today!

“DiscoverHope has offered me a wonderful opportunity to provide for my family. I now have the skills to advance my business and earn more money in the process. My vision is to eventually open a restaurant in my hometown of San Marcos. For the first time in my life, I believe that whatever I dream I can actually make a reality.”
– Rosa Montoya, 37 year-old mother of two

Please join us in celebrating mothers and make a donation today!

HopeHouse Classes Back in Session

2012-03-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hello DHF Family,

Delia Torres teaching jewelry class.

I’m excited to announce that the Hope House is officially open! Classes are in session! With great anticipation and careful planning I’ve been hard at work locating new teachers, new ideas, and new classes for our village banks. My hope is that our classes provide our women with new ways to expand their businesses and their bank accounts. Last week our newest addition to the project, Delia Torres, taught a class full of women three beautiful new earring designs and a fabulous bracelet. As we speak 15 loan recipients are learning how to make lemon pie with new Instructor Mari Marruffo…it smells so delicious! In addition to our traditional classes (Jewelry, Crafts, Culinary, and Crochet), I’ll be including Basic Computer Classes, Sewing, and Embroidery to our class listings in April.

Charo closing a deal with a customer.

In other news this past weekend Hope House Instructors and loan recipients, Charo Yupanqui and Alicia Linares participated in an artisan fair organized by the Instituto Nacional de Cultural (National Institute of Culture) in celebration of Artisan Day. You may remember that the mom/daughter duo participated in a national reality show in the search for the best crocheters in Peru. It was an exciting event and both Charo and Alicia sold more than $200 in crochet products. It was the first time that both began to view their work through the lens of an artisan. Thanks to the INC we’ll be participating in at least 3 more artisan fairs throughout the year!

Best,

Des