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@parkdalecentre for Innovation, “An Inclusive Centre in Parkdale, Toronto to model accessible, local, innovation-economies.” Energetic and inspiring Founder and Executive Director Rusul Alrubail has just opened this strategically located community-building facility for workshops, co-working, art, music (including an old bank safe converted into a recording studio!), and much more. Over 37% of residents live below the poverty line in this southwestern area of Toronto. To address unfortunate realities such as this one, in January Rusul and team are launching a “Women in Leadership” program joining forces with Whole Planet Foundation’s microfinance partner Alterna Savings*, which offers products such as the Income Builder Loan providing low-interest, simple-access microloans to women members of the Centre. Congratulations and best wishes to the Parkdale Centre, to Alterna Savings microfinance team, and to the Greater Toronto Area community at large! #parkdalecentre #alternasavings #wholeplanetfoundation * www.alterna.ca/AboutUs/Community/EconomicDevelopment/MicroFinanceProgram/ (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsaRglngHW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j5i2e257hglt

‘twas a great day of witnessing microfinance in action in Toronto, Canada. The diversity and creativity of the businesses of the entrepreneurs I met is fascinating and inspiring, and the value of microloans to help build and sustain their businesses was certainly underscored today. Leah was able to acquire a tablet device to accelerate her independent business of image consulting for men (www.transformyourself.ca), and Tammy will be applying for an Alterna Savings microloan to jumpstart her theme-party planning startup. Those are just two examples of what the entrepreneurial spirit of the underbanked can do with just a small bit of credit. At Toronto Employment and Social Services in the Scarborough area of the city, these creative, enterprising folks are learning about microfinance and how it can help them in their busineses of fashion design, health and beauty wellness center, electronics repair, “mentortainment” for girls’ self-expression through art, etc. etc. etc.! #alternasavings #microfinance #wholeplanetfoundation (at Greater Toronto Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bppoq0WnZDX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dy3i0dct42u

‘twas a great day of witnessing microfinance in action in Toronto, Canada. The diversity and creativity of the businesses of the entrepreneurs I met is fascinating and inspiring, and the value of microloans to help build and sustain their businesses was certainly underscored today. Leah was able to acquire a tablet device to accelerate her independent business of image consulting for men (www.transformyourself.ca), and Tammy will be applying for an Alterna Savings microloan to jumpstart her theme-party planning startup. Those are just two examples of what the entrepreneurial spirit of the underbanked can do with just a small bit of credit. At Toronto Employment and Social Services in the Scarborough area of the city, these creative, enterprising folks are learning about microfinance and how it can help them in their busineses of fashion design, health and beauty wellness center, electronics repair, “mentortainment” for girls’ self-expression through art, etc. etc. etc.! #alternasavings #microfinance #wholeplanetfoundation (at Greater Toronto Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bppoq0WnZDX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u4dm8nr023t3

Women entrepreneurship is truly everywhere in near every form one might imagine - and it is certainly alive and well here in the heartland of the USA! Whole Planet partner Solidarity Microfinance here is supporting these wonderfully creative, driven and very friendly women in their small-business efforts to build a better life for themselves and their families. This Center is comprised of Americans who came from Sudan and Somalia about 20 years ago. Solidarity Microfinance gives them access to credit where they had little or none before, and it is impressive and inspiring to hear about - and directly witness - how they are putting their loan capital to work, adding value to the local economy in so many ways! (at Des Moines, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoNfM8gFBJN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r1g0mia5pdc1

Edith is a BanIgualdad, Chile microloan client. With small loans that she would not have been able to obtain from conventional banks, she has built her sandwich shop right at her house, instead of having to schlep her supplies and ingredients every day to a temporary stand at a market that is miles away. Now she is developing a larger and more loyal clientele, and has more time to be with and care for her two young daughters. Her steak sandwiches are absolutely delicious, hot off the griddle! (at Lo Espejo, Chile) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnrlwfWlrEF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19gl07z6cdwr2

Illustrating the power of solidarity groups to a new Fondo Esperanza group of microentrepreneurs. (at Calama, Antofagasta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnmosmPlQS9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nlmk44276z2v

Solidarity microfinance in action thanks to Fondo Esperanza, our partner in Chile. These entrepreneurs (well over 80% women) are improving their lives, their families’ lives, and their communities at large with as little as US$60 for their first loan, running microenterprises such as mini-marts, birthday party goods, kitchenware sales, dressmaking, etc. etc. etc.! (at Peñalolén, Chile) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnjzceInIWq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lnvgl0edvb1e

Used books trade on a sleepy Santiago Sunday. #wabisabi #crescitcumcommerciocivitas https://www.instagram.com/p/BnhE6nNFgPd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x9cro3fctsss

¡Buenos días! Checking in on our microfinance partner Microserfin. This is one of the very few institutions in Panama offering sub-$500 loans in rural parts of the country. Happy Monday to you all! (at Panama City, Panama) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnQ7jrolGh9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=x1322quspm2v

Odds and ends -and a papaya! - on a field officer’s desktop. (at Pocora, Limon, Costa Rica)