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What is YOUR New Years Resolution to Help Fight Poverty? You tell us!

January 22, 2009

For many, 2009 represents a year of change at home and abroad. What is YOUR New Year's resolution for change that will help end poverty worldwide?

Tell us!

Comments

Dear ISF,

My name is Grace Mulei from Kenya, the founder of SAPRO,Programs.This organization promotes vulnerable communities potentiality for skills development,for productive livelihood. Membership is also in Education for Sustainable development, to address the 21st century challenges,and the Millennium Development Goals especially G1.

I wish to compliment ISF for their 2009 noble resolution.

It is great to realize your operations in Southern Sahara including Tharaka in Kenya.

I wonder whether it would be possible to include online training programs, or e-learning courses on achievement of the G1& G2 of the Millennium Development Goals MDGs.

The online/e-learning participants would gain knowledge in Micro Finance and credit for the poor. Kenya population is governed by income pa capital diversity.The 75% of people are poor, 42% of the population live below poverty line, and every year over 750,000 school leavers add to the unemployment catastrophe.

The poverty status subjects young girls to prostitution,and spread of STDs including HIVs, while the boys end up in negative peer influence, such as crime and drug abuse, resulting to violence outbursts insecurity and.

The training courses would capacity build participants for productive livelihood,for poverty eradication.

Grace.

Kenya.

Education, like microfinance, can be a ticket out of poverty. I hail from Bihar, India. Recently, my sister visted my father's village and she was struck by how some of our distant relatives are just about making ends meet. The only reason why my family can afford to live a comfortasble middle class life today is because many years ago, my grandfather was determined enough to walk 20 kilometres to the nearest school and get himself an education. That one act altered his family's future. My sister decided to fund the education of one of our distant cousins, in the hope that he will be able to change his family's future too.
This year, I decided to stop procastinating about my goal to teach someone less fortunate. I signed up with an orphanage nearby and have started coaching one of their kids in Maths and English. It has only been two weeks but I'm loving the experience. I hope many other people in India and other countries volunteer to teach children. To quote Malcolm X, "Education is the passport to the future, because tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today". Regards

Here in the Philippines so many so called microfinanciers crop from everywhere, some local based and some ventured by foreign investors. But these entities just make the borrowers lives more miserable because of their procedures which only prove that their only agenda is to make money out of the loans granted. They even charge and take the delinquent borrowers to the authorities to file non-payment cases. Because of the innocence of the borrowers on how to utilize their borrowed money they end up with added problems. So I think it's high time to educate them(the loan beneficiaries) about PRIORITIES, VALUES AND VIRTUES, on this matter and I myself together with some members of different social and church oraganizations try to do outreach work regarding this endeavor, but due to inavailability of financial resources, we can only do so very little. But we're trying our best. Can you be our benefactor in whatever way? Thank you and GOd BLESS.

1. run a campaign to make the poor aware of their share of the nations wealth. ( poverty is essentially the bye porduct of inequitable distribution of wealth). help them demand their right to food shelter and education .
2. start a small n g o to financially help some of the local poor peopole. we have already made a small beginning under the name 'thanal' in a small village called onakkoor in kerala india.

I am writing you from Italy from an NGO called Informatici Senza Frontiere (ISF, see also: http://informaticisenzafrontiere.org/viewen.php?id=9 ) which in our language means "computer scientists without frontiers".

We are a group of more than 100 Italian CIOs volunteers in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) delivering infrastructure and (open source) software projects in poor regions to support hospitals and help people on a pro-bono and non-profit basis.

Recently we have started a contact with Grameen and we are trying to identify possible scopes to support projects in the vision of Dr. Yunus's IT Solutions to End Poverty (ISEP) vision and from different sources we have found references to your high value efforts as technology reference for human benefits.

In 2009 we would be honored to see if you have interest to analyze with us a possible scope of intervention where ISF could be useful in terms of f.i.:

1) analysis of ICT-related problems to suggest possible already available solutions
2) propose new open source developments (in case none of off-the-shelf solutions could be of help).

We have open source projects in:
- hospital and patient record management (a volunteer is in Tharaka, Kenya and another is in Angal, Uganda)
- human resources management
- microcredit (a volunteer will be in Fianarantsoa, Madagascar next month)
- knowledge-sharing
- e-learning

In case you should find this topic of interest, please, do not hesitate to send your comments and proposal that I will be keen to share with ISF President and Board to start a joined evaluation.

Best regards,
Aldo Ceccarelli

volunteer of ISF for International Relationships
---
international [at] informaticisenzafrontiere.org (mailto:)

Our take on this was to create a site that would make more people make resolutions, and donate money to charity if they happen to fail. This way the world will be a little bit better either way, whether one sticks to a resolution or not.

See http://www.pledgehammer.com

If you're a charity and would like to be included please do get in touch.

I have always been one to try to help my neighbor. Lately, I have been helping people to financial solutions by telling them about BCE. I have a blog where I talk about personal solutions and I am on hiatus from an educational column for the FWOINTL/IN.

I am in the process of rolling out a microfinance program for women. In the mean time I have made it a point of picking a child each year for scholarship in Nigeria. I am on target for this year. With a little help we can make the world a better place.

My consciousness about poverty on the "home front" has been raised in recent years. Living in a relatively wealthy country and enjoying the privileges of wealth, it is easy to forget those in need right at the door-step. Homelessness in our capital city is not highly visible, but it does exist. Like many, I used to baulk and refuse to give money when I was asked. There was a sense of "not enouraging" that kind of behaviour. and not wanting to be "conned". However, I began to ask myself, "Even if the person asking for money is fabricating a story, why do they need to do this? Would I rather be in my position, or theirs?" The answer to the last question was enough to change my attitude over time. Now I'm looking for more structured ways to make a difference.

I have seen the extent of poverty among people in my own eyes. I have seen the missery of poor people. therefore, I think, and personally feel that the $1 family/day measure for poverty line is another mockery with the fate of the poor. Considering price level world wide today, $1 family/day, can they have only good breakfast? Impossible, they can't have. It indicates that even today, poors are treated as poor, and not our own brothers and sisters. Can our family survive with one dollar a day. It indicates that we are doing something for the poor so that they remain poor for ever.
Therefore, I personally believe that this $1 must be per person per day and not per family per day.
My work with the poor for a few years, shows that there is a relationship between work and poverty. My new year's resolution is to do more research in the field of poverty and microfiannce so that,with the grace of God, We can find out some ways and means, so that poor can break the circle of poverty. May God help us.

30th January, 2009.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a deaf Papua New Guinean student studying at USQ, Toowoomba, Australia. I am from Bunamugl Village, Kerowagi District, Simbu Province of Papua New Guinea. I read with interest the many GF 's endeavours to countless people come out of poverty.

I am sending this enquiry so as to express an interest to GF if a water supply project for villagers in that part of the world could be constructed.The villages namely Bunamugl & Waglma have a population of about 1200 - 1800 people. A good thing with the people is they have initiated the project two years ago (attached is a picture of the incomplete work). If a reservoir tank, few cement and a few extra PVC pipes are available the would be completed.

Kindly advise if I need to send a formal application on their behalf.

In the meantime, I await to hear from you regarding the above enquiry.

Sincerely yours,

Joel Silas

Dear ISF,

My name is Grace Mulei from Kenya, the founder of SAPRO,Programs.This organization promotes vulnerable communities potentiality in skills development,for productive livelihood. Membership is also in Education for Sustainable development, to address the 21st century challenges,and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals especially G1.

I wish to compliment ISF for their 2009 noble resolution.

It is great to realize your operations in Southern Sahara including Tharaka in Kenya.

I wonder whether it would be possible to include online training programs, or e-learning courses on achievement of the G1& G2 of the Millennium Development Goals MDGs.

The online/e-learning participants would gain knowledge in Micro Finance and credit for the poor. Kenya population is governed by income pa capital diversity.The 75% of people are poor, 42% of the population live below poverty line, and every year over 750,000 school leavers add to the unemployment catastrophe.

The poverty status subjects young girls to prostitution,and spread of STDs including HIVs, while the boys end up in negative peer influence, such as crime and drug abuse, resulting to violence outbursts insecurity and.

The training courses would capacity build participants for productive livelihood,for poverty eradication.

Grace.

Kenya.

Hello Grace,
thanks for your message: can you get in touch privately too at international [at] informaticisenzafrontiere.org too?

I will be keen to get in touch and try putting you into contact with our project managers for activities you described above.

I remain at disposal.

Aldo

Dear Amrit, and All,

It is true there are people living below poverty line. Leave alone a family earning a dollar a day, there are people who who earn nothing at all per day. Children end up malnourished, while adults live as collectors of wild fruits.

Imagine children who have lost both of their parents to HIV/AIDs and are living with their elderly grant parents who cannot tap their nuts!.

A village in my home district has a population of 816,117 people, with a prevalence of 5-8 HIV/AIDs cases. There are 1,300 orphans. Kamanzi village has 6o orphans supported by neighbours.

When students complete forth grade, they need capacity building and skills training courses for self reliance and income creation. This would help them to reduce poverty,design a productive future.

My 2009 solution is to find partners to establish a TVET center where vulnerable children can go for poverty eradication capacity building. The center would collaborate with training institutions and ICT Centers for technical skills promotion and prospective achievement.

We have already negotiated with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture where the carry out entrepreneurship short courses for poverty eradication.

Who would like to partner with SAPRO for this goal?

Registered organization, with auditors reports, and authentic working team.

Grace.

Kenya.

Dear Cameroon GF Friends,

I wish to compliment you on their mobile phone for the poor project.

My vision for 2009 information and knowledge building resolution project is to include teen e-learning for poverty eradication.

In my village there is a courageous student hs resolved to start an ICT Training project, that promotes vedio conferencing and exchange.

The school leavers can build knowledge through e-learning and exchange programs for growing economies,bridging economic divide and also promoting cultural diversity respect, in peace building.divide.

The e-learning centers can cause teens to engage in income creation to defray educational costs needed in higher learning. When attached to the company factories, they are side lined and run away.

I think e-learning is a noble poverty eradication solution for 2009.
Please count me in.

Knowledge is Wealth!

Grace.

Kenya

Dear GF Friends,

Our mission for 2009 on poverty eradication is to start lending to livelihood business as one time repayment system. It will help poorest people to generate their income through our microfinance project.

Yours,
Brojendro Luwang
Freedom for Hungers
India

we work for vulnerable children which live in a great misery here in cote d ivoire and we need an help of 800 euros to buy their eat and clothes. if you can send it by western union at mr gnakpa daniel president of aised. tel 002250 08443355 fax 00225023536385 cote d ivoire. thank you for your generosity god bless you

I understand that you need some help but no one will help if u go directly by telling how much you need, and even giving your contacts. You should be more specific about the situtation the children are in and try to get people on your side. Telling the amount you need and your contacts makes it look like people have to help you; you have to go slowly, step by step.
I am from Cote d'Ivoire and I want people to be helped there but i get really sensitive when people don't know how to approach organizations for help.
I hope you take my advice in consideratin.

I am a member of Kiwanis Club of Columbus, Indiana and would like more information on the possibility of starting a microcredit program with other Kiwanis Clubs where poverty in America is prevelent. Thank you.

All these solutions are good but we need to enlight our to aviod living old ldays life. we intend to teach people on financial leteracy / weath education but we need ur support

akinsele jeremiah
lagos nigeria
+2348054143440

I became astonished by seeing the quality and quantity of the comment section . Nice, the perception is. Poverty has the relation with the weakness of any kind . Whether related to character's side or from personality traits should be overcome . Don't be submissive be aggressive strength and wealth would kiss your feet . Step your foot further on this way with a keen insight.And then work out on your poverty removal plan .
Barbara
workout plans

Its nice to see so many people wanting to make a change in peoples lives. I am a person living with HIV and over the last 3years have been offering support online to other people living with HIV.

I would appreciate if you would design a website for people living with HIV and Aids in Kenya. Its a very lonely condition especially for professionals living with it. Having a Kenyan website for people living with HIV would have a great positive impact on HIV+ people.

Hoping for a positive response

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am conducting a small research on Microcredit and its performance in Bangladesh. I will appreciate if you can give 5 minutes of your valuable time and fill up the survey posted on Surveymonkey.com.
The link is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wiVbl_2feiSKD4f1MtZDpCIg_3d_3d
I will really appreciate your response.
Warm regards
Soma

IN AFRICA WE SHOULD CHANGE OUR ORIENTATION THE WAY WE HANDLES OUR FINANCES THAT IS THE MOST CAUSE ROOT OF POVERTY. WE SHOULD NOT DO EXPENSIVE CEREMONIES THANK

AKINSELE JEREMIAH
LAGOS NIGERIA
+2348039301717
jerryestate [at] yahoo.com

salamat and greeting to every body
would it possible to establish the idea into sudan from a to z where are more than 90% will be covered
moawia aljack

First, I would like to thank to all that involved in what ever name of "welfare foundation". Thanks God there are many peoples giving support and commitment in solving the poorest peoples in over the world.

Second, I, sometimes feel very upset because there are many of peoples and leader in our world that made wrong decision in judging of people by using the power they have to kill the innocents. Kids and women killed or injured or trauma in their life. Pity them...

I am begging to all, to stop "all the evil things" to innocents.

We should share all the happiness that God gives us....

Dear GF readers,

I do believe in all programmes by GF. I have one concern. I am from Bangladesh and have been closed to our cronic poverty. Nothing can improve our future unless we educate our people and seperate religious leaders' wrong preachings. To eradicate poverty, I believe, population controll is the first and foremost issue to start along with education, particularly among women. Also to educate begging is not the solution to poverty. Helping poors to find their suitable means to live, while poors should have own initiative to improve. We can't wake up those sleeping awaked? Poor are poor mostly because of their own hand. We can only help them who wan't to be helped.

In brief:: From the underdeveloped side:: developing the underdeveloped with replicable systems. Empower them to empower themselves to lift themselves out of impoverished circumstances through enterprise. Social Entrepreneurship + Micro-Franchising = Intercept Poverty. www.interceptpoverty.blogspot.com

In brief::From the developed world side:: Using the MDG's as a strategic framework under corporate social responsibility - then engaging the private sector to do more through the intellectual grunt of their business teams, who if have discretionary time and energy can problem solve in the places of the world that need it most.
www.interceptexperience.com

Thank-you to all who are engaged to Intercept Poverty
Tanya - Founder Intercept Poverty.org

Dear Babara,

I quite agree with you that a work plan is crucial to get people out of poverty.

The GF Micro-Credit is one of the ways.

Poverty is closely associated with but not limited to peoples livelihood, climate change catastrophies, disease, weather, and lack skills development.

Our vision for 2009 is to start income generating projects within scientific technical skills development in order to evolve productive livelihood.

Global connections and exchange in this area would help communities to get themselves out of poverty.

Thanks to this GF discussion forum.

Grace.

Dear GF Friends,

During our discussions I remember getting connectedtoa GF Blog.

I was so sorry to have been ill for the last two months; but thank God I have recovered from tetanus virus where I almost lost my leg.

Would it be possible to find the blog for updating?

Cheers.

Special thanks to grameen foundation, Iam in uganda, and a VPO who is trying to fight poverty thruogh there programs. I fill like to say that they are doing good work.

Micheal from Mayuge Uganda.

To all GF friends,

Yes, today is devoted to Mother, and rightly so. She has the abundant energy to keep the household humming, maintain
happiness, equilibrium and satisfy every need.

Statistics show that there is an alarmingly high rate of single moms, who live below the poverty line, with their children. Stats also show that these moms live under chronic, uninterrupted stress, with dire consequences, such as mental illness, i.e.-depression, and eventually dementia and alzheimers. Yes, the mother suffers but more importantly, the children suffer, and eventually society does as well, as the children end up burdening society.

Resources are needed and services, particularly to meet the needs of families, such as food banks, school supplies, funding to cover public school fees, bursaries for day camp fees, legal aid, housing, furniture, clothing, bus tickets, and the list is endless.

The primary role of a mother is to feed, clothe and maintain a loving, safe and balanced home environment for her children. Without financial resources and emotional support, life can be very stressful for both mom and kids.

I am one of these mothers, and I want to do something to help other women and their kids improve their circumstances. Don't hesitate to provide help if you have resources available, to aid in this cause.

Happy Mother's Day! and hang in there...you are loved.

When I discovered the work that Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Foundation do for people all over the world, I thougt that I have something to do too. First of all I started with litle contributions because my economic situation is not brilliant, but I always thought that given is one of the best things that anyone can do. But also I have in my thoughts that given includes education and compromise.
I'm a social worker, but I'm not working in ti right now. Developing my profession I always have in mind that when you give someone money or help youalso have to create attitude in them to develop skills to help themselves to grow. That is the reason that I decided to contribute because I saw that people is also motivated to grow and have the responsability to return the loans that theynreceived and make maney to survive .
I;m also apeson that continuosly learn new things, eventhough I'm 68 years old, and still working. I think that the day I will stop, it will be my last day, my last moment in life.

I work in ICT and corporate development for an MFI called ASOMI Finance Private Limited (www.asomi.co.in) in Assam, India. We offer micro-loans to SHGs and entrepreneural individuals, and have catered to over 30,000 poor individuals in the region. We are using Grameen Foundation's MIFOS, the open source MIS finance software. We are customising the product to our requirements, and planning to integrate it with the organization's accounting system. We also plan to use mobile devices for client recruitment and loan collection. With the help of technology, we hope we can become more efficient, have faster turnaround of loan cycles, and cater to more needy people, hence alleviate poverty.