Overview

Before we get into the actual adventures of the summer, let me first clarify how I got here and what I'm doing here exactly. I know this is a point of confusion for many of you and I must admit it's still confusing to me. My combined interests in Spanish, Jesus and international development (especially a growing curiosity with microfinance) led me to find Hope International through a basic Google search and apply for their intern program. But I know that the real reason I'm here because of God's flawless guidance. It's apparent in everything I'm learning and how perfect these organizations fit my dreams for life.

Since traveling abroad in Europe, the Balkans, Costa Rica and Mexico, I've come face to face with poverty. It's been an eye-opening experience in many ways. I learned the poor aren't necessarily less happy than any of us and that they love Americans (for the most part) despite our bad decisions and national selfishness. I've also learned that the thought isn't really what counts. You can do a lot more harm by trying to help then by letting people alone. However this is no excuse to remain absent. We just need to wise about how we help. I've seen the hand out fail people by creating dependence and read the numbers on financial aid that has poured into poor countries with little economic improvement. I've wondered if there was a better way, but couldn't find one.

But then I discovered microfinance and I've fallen in love. Microfinance organizations (MFIs) give small loans, like $100, to poor individuals or groups that commercial banks ignore because of the risk. Esperanza and Hope combine business training and educational programs with their loan process so that the loans with succeed in helping the poor out of poverty. The loans are not a hand-out but a hand-up. They're paid back with interest to the MFI and then the group/individual can apply for another loan, potentially until they are credible enough to receive commercial bank loans.

Hope and Esperanza are even better than most MFIs because they integrate faith into everything. The loan officers, that organize and help the groups, are encouraged to share their testimonies with their clients. Each Monday the Esperanza offices do a devotional/praise & worship time to focus their week. The organizations only hire Christian professionals. God is in the center of all they do, which is quite different for me after only secular work/school atmospheres.

If you get nothing else from this blog, I hope you understand the amazing impact of MFIs and how transformational they can be when combined with the message of Jesus Christ. I'll have more stories to share soon. My specific role for Esperanza will center around assisting the loan officers and translating the client stories to post on Kiva, a site where sponsors can view the profiles and donate (kinda like what Compassion/World Vision does with children). Best of all, after 6-12 months, you get the money back as the client pays off the loan, so it can be re-invested to other clients again if you wish (cool huh?!).

Questions? Let me know. =) TTFN.