Sunday, March 21, 2010

Women Empowered

I have been interested in the concept of microfinance for some time now and became a Kiva lender to learn more about how it works and the impact it can have. Although there is great need everywhere, I have focused more heavily on lending to women entrepreneurs, as in many cultures and communitites, girls tend to be much more disenfranchised. And maybe the fact that I have three daughters has something to do with it ... I am inspired by people who make it their life's work to help solve problems and raise up those who need it most; people who do what they can to make the world a better place.

Here is a shining star for you: Roshaneh Zafar from Pakistan, Winner Of 2010 Global Leadership Award,  was honored for her work bringing economic empowerment to her country’s poorest women. In 1996 she founded the Kashf Foundation, the first Pakistani microfinance organization to focus on women. Zafar has empowered and helped over 300,000 women gain economic independence. I love it - a hand up - not a hand out. That makes her a hero and an inspiration in my books! Watch and prepare to be inspired too.

4 comments:

  1. I learned about Kiva last year...what a great nonprofit.

    Hope you are doing well.
    one love.

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  2. Kiva is wonderful and a great idea, thanks for sharing this Lyn.

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  3. Extraordinarily inspiring, Lyn! What a beautiful woman she is, both inside and out!! Thank you for posting this! Love, Janine XO

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  4. Thanks for sharingLyn. This sounds like my kind of organization :) I will look this up later tonight! cuz

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