by Roxanne -

Why We Should Listen

Two thirds of the world’s population live on $2 per day or less. The world’s poor are mainly women and children. Capitalism alone can’t solve global poverty. This is because capitalism can’t provide equal access to resources and markets.

So what can we do? We can listen and learn from local people with local wisdom. Like Mary’s Pence ESPERA Funds, Jacqueline Novogratz – a previous financial executive – has a better idea about what we can do. Listen to her here on TED Talks.

She has a number of TED talks dating from 2006. Most are 10 minutes or less and worth listening to.

“Why you should listen to her:

One of the most innovative players shaping philanthropy today, Jacqueline Novogratz is redefining the way problems of poverty can be solved around the world. Drawing on her past experience in banking, microfinance and traditional philanthropy, Novogratz has become a leading proponent for financing entrepreneurs and enterprises that can bring affordable clean water, housing and healthcare to poor people so that they no longer have to depend on the disappointing results and lack of accountability seen in traditional charity and old-fashioned aid.

The Acumen Fund, which she founded in 2001, has an ambitious plan: to create a blueprint for alleviating poverty using market-oriented approaches. Indeed, Acumen has more in common with a venture capital fund than a typical nonprofit. Rather than handing out grants, Acumen invests in fledgling companies and organizations that bring critical — often life-altering — products and services to the world’s poor. Like VCs, Acumen offers not just money, but also infrastructure and management expertise. From drip-irrigation systems in India to malaria-preventing bed nets in Tanzania to a low-cost mortgage program in Pakistan, Acumen’s portfolio offers important case studies for entrepreneurial efforts aimed at the vastly underserved market of those making less than $4/day.

It’s a fascinating model that’s shaken up philanthropy and investment communities alike. Acumen Fund manages more than $20 million in investments aimed at serving the poor. And most of their projects deliver stunning, inspiring results. Their success can be traced back to Novogratz herself, who possesses that rarest combination of business savvy and cultural sensitivity. In addition to seeking out sound business models, she places great importance on identifying solutions from within communities rather than imposing them from the outside. ‘People don’t want handouts,’ Novogratz said at TEDGlobal 2005. ‘They want to make their own decisions, to solve their own problems.’

In her book, The Blue Sweater, she tells stories from the new philanthropy, which emphasizes sustainable bottom-up solutions over traditional top-down aid.” – TED Talks.

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by Roxanne -

Greeks Resist Public Bank Bailout

Timothy Garton Ash spells out what is at the core of the violence we are seeing in Greece, Ireland and other European countries. Again, language plays a role here. “Public bank bailout” is almost NEVER referred to on CNN or mainstream media. Rather it is described as “austerity measures.” Published today at ekathimierini.com, “The end of Europe as we know it” by Petros Papaconstantinou:

For his part, Timothy Garton Ash wrote in the Guardian on June 15: “It’s not just Greece. In Ireland, Portugal and Spain the anger is boiling over, as people feel that the young, the poor and the unemployed are being forced to pay for the selfish improvidence of their politicians — and of French and German bankers.”

Bold emphasis is mine. The same is true for us here in the U.S., since our banks actually started this financial crisis – now rippling through the global economy.

NET – Pushing bank losses from unethical sub prime mortgage loans and investments onto the public should not be tolerated by people anywhere. Why are we tolerating it here in the U.S.? Because, unlike Greece, we haven’t experienced, or don’t understand, the costs of paying for it . . . yet.

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by Roxanne -

Solving the Problem of Poverty

ESPERA Funds: A Better Idea for Solving the Problem of Poverty

Edica is a young mother in El Salvador barely making ends meet. She struggles daily to care for her children, feed them and send them to school. There are no jobs available in her village. She is determined and resourceful but, as in many countries, banks do not lend to women. What can she do? What would you do?

Micro-lending might be an option but that can be dangerous. You may have read about the recent problems uncovered in the micro-lending industry. Often the money actually goes to another lending institution, rather then to the individual pictured on the website. Or the interest charged might quickly become more than the value of the loan. Sometimes a woman applies for a loan that actually ends up in the hands of others – usually men – although the woman is legally responsible for the loan. These abuses hurt every organization working to end poverty through sustainable change.

After almost 25 years of granting and working with women in the Americas, Mary’s Pence, a faith based non-profit, decided there had to be a better way to help end the cycle of poverty. I know. As a board member of Mary’s Pence I watched and participated as month after month the women of Mary’s Pence collaborated to create a sustainable and local alternative. After months of strategic planning and collaboration ESPERA Funds were born.

Mary’s Pence ESPERA Funds (“she hopes” in Spanish) go to networks of women – not individuals. Together, using the power of community, women can share ideas. Each network is made up of a group of women who encourage and support each other in starting sustainable businesses right in their own communities.

ESPERA Funds are designed so decisions are made by local women creating local solutions. The women in the network are in the best place to determine which projects should be funded and the interest they need to charge for their lending pool (ESPERA Fund). Loans are repaid to the community fund so more new businesses can be started or the money can be loaned to another network. Successful projects are grounded in the community and serve the needs of the local village.

ESPERA Funds recently completed its first year. There are now four funds working in communities in Central America and Mexico. The results are exciting. When women do better children benefit, families are more secure and the entire community does better. With a reliable income Edica and women like her, can send their children to school instead of to work. For Edica, a sustainable income means that she can plan and save for her future.

Mary’s Pence ESPERA Funds are supported by donations from individual donors. There is no endowment fund or large grant to support this work. Mary’s Pence relies on social outreach, churches, women’s groups, faith groups and those they know to spread the word.

What can you do? Join me. Be part of the poverty solution. Consider learning more at www.maryspence.org, sign up for Mary’s Pence E-Newsletter, or make a donation. Become a Companeras by donating automatically each month. Better yet, volunteer to host a giving circle at your next book club or gathering – even dollars or change on hand makes a good donation.

Make a difference today. Just click funding women, changing lives.

In Africa women are doing similar work. Watch Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of Acumen Funds, describe investing in local solutions and the power of patient capital.

You may also like Poverty is a Luxury We Can NOT Afford, What Can You and I Do?, Does Everyone Have a Voice? and Kowalski’s Grocery Store and Fiji Water.

by Roxanne -

Romantic Kitchen Before & After

You may remember that I decided to give the romantic treatment to my kitchen this year (check out Romantic Kitchen Inspiration post) – just as I did with other areas of our home here, here, here and here.

This was my inspiration:

Photo Apt. Therapy Butlers Pantry After

My hope was to add a little sparkle, better lighting, make things we use often more accessible (not having to constantly get cookware from the bottom cupboards for example), make use of wasted space and update the look.

As with other areas in our home, I am not spending money to change out perfectly good counters, sink or cabinets just because they are 10 years old and don’t match styles in new construction. Likewise, our appliances don’t match but they work and so are staying, as is the flooring.

Here is the before picture.

Last year we replaced our stove with a new for us/used one. I painted the backsplash area a soft yellow. DH also installed a track-light fixture with 7 movable lights on a dimmer switch (worth every penny) for direct over-counter, sink and cabinet lighting.

So that leaves the following:

1. paint the back wall

2. visually use the dark green counter tops

3. use vertical wall space.

I’m all for painting ONE wall in a room. It provides the color lift I need, without painting an entire room. Plus, I like the warm white and soft yellow walls we currently have. The back wall of the kitchen has been painted a few times over the years. I can easily paint it in only one hour with just a quart of paint.

So today I am spending my afternoon wielding “weapons of mass destruction” including a power drill, hammer, screwdriver and tape measure.

After picking up a Grundtal shelf at IKEA, 2 trips by me and 1 trip by DH to the hardware store for the correct screws and anchors, the shelf was finally attached to the wall.

This made me stop and think how difficult all of this would be for someone who didn’t own a car or who relied on public transportation. It’s quite a drive to the hardware store and a lot of gas is used each trip – even if I try to consolidate trips. Those in poverty don’t easily have the luxury of doing even simple things to make their homes more efficient or their lives easier. Something we deem as simple as doing the laundry or grocery shopping can be an arduous proposition if you are taking the bus or walking. Then imagine having small children with you!

In the end my kitchen update cost me a quart of paint from Sears ($10), shelf ($15), hardware ($5), track-light fixture ($98), bright orange rug ($13) for a total cost of $141.

I don’t have a before picture but the back kitchen wall was previously painted a dark orange color. It is now a light sage green color that visually relates to the green counter. I like the final results. It looks fresh. The shelf makes using the pots & pans so much easier, opens up cabinets and uses wasted vertical space.

Photo R. Meshar

The counter area was revamped too. I made use of the dead corner space for stacking white low bowls. We use these to eliminate a myriad of other plates, salad plates and soup bowls. These white porcelain bowls actually look good with the green counter tops. Three glasses hold cutlery. This is not only convenient, it puts unused counter space to work. Everything stored on the counters are items we use daily.

Photo R. Meshar
Photo R. Meshar

That finishes the kitchen update. I like the look. It isn’t sterile. The baskets organize coffee & tea supplies and add texture. Hanging shiny pans add a little bling. A small lamp on the snack bar, along with overhead track lighting warms the space. We do cook together easily in this kitchen. It works for us.

Welcome to our kitchen –

Photo R. Meshar

The front entry area will be the next to see a little attention. Watch for changes coming soon.

You may also like Simplifying Our Kitchen, Simplify, Simplify, Simplify, and Isn’t It Romantic?

by Roxanne -

Power of Framing

Photo Real Simple

No, this isn’t a post on picture frames. This is a post on the way we frame, view or understand the world. Frames are powerful. Once we are in a frame it is almost impossible to see our way out.

However, sometimes something happens that will snap us right out of our frame. Language can help us reframe. Read this post by DH to learn how the language we use determines how we understand or frame crucial issues.

An accident, a trauma, a comment or even a story can quickly pull us out of our frame.

Jesus told stories, called parables, to shock people out of their frames. Jesus was adept at the Judaic tradition of parables. An example of this is the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).

Jesus tells this story in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” In this story, both the priest and the Levite – upstanding people in this social “frame” –  refused to help the traveler who had been robbed and left on the roadside. Yet, the Samaritan not only helps but takes the traveler to an inn and pays for his care until his return. This is a shocking story because Samaritans were considered unclean and undesirable people. In our day perhaps the Samaritan might be a homeless person. In the shock of the story, Jesus re-frames the question. Ask not, “Who is my neighbor?” Rather, ask “What must I do to be neighborly?”

All of Jesus’ parables were meant to shock us in this manner, to jolt us out of our distorted view of reality. Jesus used the word metanoia, a Greek word meaning change your mind, change your view of reality. It was directly translated as “repent” but the modern meaning of this word misses what Jesus was communicating. It wasn’t about stopping a particular action or behavior. It was about changing one’s entire orientation to life.

We have other examples of reframing. Aesop’s Fables served a similar purpose.

In ancient Greece, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is probably the most famous frame-breaker. In this story people, chained to a wall, labor deep in a cave. Their world is very small. All they can see are shadows on the wall before them. They can’t even turn around to see the fire behind them that causes the shadows.

One day, one of them escapes. In leaving the cave she sees the fire that casts dim light into the cave and creates the shadows. Climbing further out of the cave she sees more light reflected from a pool of water. Moving higher still, she finally sees daylight far above at the mouth of the cave.

She returns to tell the others. But they don’t believe her. They won’t even try to turn around and see the fire, much less move towards the light reflected in the pool.

In the end, she must climb upward into the daylight and leave the cave behind.

The cave is a metaphor for being trapped in cultural or family systems, or perhaps being trapped in a life story that is limiting or a narrow worldview. It results in a lack of real freedom to choose better possibilities.

Life is full of possibilities. Full of light. Do we want to live in the shadows? Or in the light? Re-frame.

Photo Real Simple

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