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"In the face of overwhelming world poverty, microfinance shines as a proven way to improve the lives of many of the world's poorest people. After more than 30 years and hundreds of millions of micro-loans, this intervention has been recognized as one of the most effective ways of addressing poverty of all time.
Of course, once any movement becomes popular, it attracts critics. Microfinance recently took a strong hit from a surprising source, the Stanford Social Innovations Review in its Summer 2007 edition.
The magazine published an article by Aneel Karnani, boldly titled "Microfinance Misses its Mark," in which Karnani made several aggressive, yet largely unsubstantiated, claims. His criticisms of microfinance are not new, however, given the prominence of the usually excellent publication that printed them, they deserve thoughtful rebuttal."
After reading the Stanford article, I invited Peter Greer (President of one the largest Christian microfinance groups) to respond. In this issue we take a look at the Stanford article, the rest of Peter's response and several other things taking place in the world of microfinance. |
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| Does Micro Finance Miss the Mark :: Stanford Review |
 The Stanford Social Innovation Review has historically been a good source of strategies and tools for non-profits and businesses. A few weeks ago they wrote a pretty hard hitting article coming out against microfinance.
In the spirit of discussion I wanted to share the article. In the next post, I've invited Peter Greer, the President of Hope International (one of the largest Christian Micro-finance groups in the country) to share his response.
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| Giving Can Be Fun Again. Kiva and the New York Times Video |
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 Eight months ago Kiva opened the door for me to become a micro-lender to two start up entrepreneurs in Ghana. It wasn't more than $100 but when pooled together with that of 32 other people from around the world it helped finance the launch of two businesses in poorer regions of the world. Next month I'm scheduled to receive the last re-payment of that loan (it's already 90% paid back) and I will have the opportunity to re-invest it with another business.
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| God is in the Change :: With Lord in mind and miniloans, group helps neediest |
 What could be the fastest growing lender in Chicago doesn't loan to executives in high-rises, but to mothers in mud huts. Its average loan size is just $172. And its president and CEO, Christopher Crane, won't take a salary, and pays for his own travel. Opportunity International, a 36-year-old Oak Brook-based microfinance organization, makes loans and take deposits from the poorest of the world's poor. |
| New Business as Mission Videos about the Trade as One Story |
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 Trade as One is a great group combining business and ministry. Led by Nathan George, they market and sell products from people around the world who are looking for ways to escape poverty or other dire circumstances. Recently they just finished a highly produced DVD telling the story of the organization and some of the people behind the ministry and business.
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| Hitting its Mark: Microfinance and the Alleviation of Poverty :: Peter Greer - President of Hope Intl |
 In the face of overwhelming world poverty, microfinance shines as a proven way to improve the lives of many of the world's poorest people. After more than 30 years and hundreds of millions of micro-loans, this intervention has been recognized as one of the most effective ways of addressing poverty of all time.
Of course, once any movement becomes popular, it attracts critics. Microfinance recently took a strong hit from a surprising source, the Stanford Social Innovations Review in its Summer 2007 edition
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| President Bush Takes a Look at Opportunity Internationals work in Eastern Europe |
 It was a historic day for Opportunity Albania- the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, and First Lady Laura Bush paid a long visit to Opportunity Albania's Branch Office in the town of Fush Kruje. The President and First Lady held a microfinance roundtable discussion with Opportunity International Branch Manager Emila Cangu and five of our clients, in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Read on ... |
| World Relief, Hope Intl + Opportunity Intl Partner to Open Microfinance Bank in Rwanda |
 KIGALI, RWANDA - The world's leading Christian organizations supplying microfinance and microenterprise development to the poorest of the working poor today announced a historic partnership by merging operations in Rwanda to open a microfinance bank for the poor in a country that is making steady progress and often great strides in rebuilding and reunification. |
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The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid. Eradicating poverty through profits :: CK Prahalad |
 Although the faith component is missing from it's perspective, serveral microfinance leaders have recommended this book for those wanting to get aquainted with Microfinance. Here's what some heavyweights had to say at Amazon.com. | |
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