Category: Uncategorized

Usually, business development and environmental health are talked about as being mutually exclusive entities. Stories of clear-cutting rainforest for soybeans and livestock or mountaintop removal mines in West Virginia certainly reflect a reality in which, too frequently, short-term profits spell the death of entire ecosystems. Of the world’s 1.3 people living in extreme poverty (less… Continue reading Microfinance and the Environment: Where Responsibility Meets Sustainability

Without a doubt, the greatest advancement of the last 50 years has been the revelation of the internet. Paired with the rising tide of globalization, technology has linked the world like never before. With the increased spread of communication has come a world without barriers or boundaries, allowing people and information to spread freely. This… Continue reading Microloans and Mobile Phones: Technology’s Impact on the Future of Microfinance

  As we finish the first month of 2018, we are provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress of New Year’s resolutions and appreciate the growth that has occurred. At this moment, we would like to take this opportunity to begin our 2018 with a spotlight on one of our donors, Theresa Rooney. Rooney,… Continue reading Donor Spotlight: Theresa Rooney

For the past few years in mid-January, Madison area non-profits with operations in Haiti have been getting together for a “Haiti roundtable.” The annual meeting was created to help the organizations better cooperate about current goals and initiatives in the country, as well as provide a space to organize ideas and receive status reports. So,… Continue reading Haiti Non-Profits: The Madison Connection

Eight years ago today, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck just west of Haiti’s capital, Port Au Prince. Twelve days and 52 aftershocks later, an estimated 160,000 people were dead. Although there have been stronger earthquakes that have had much lower casualty reports, a history of national debt, corruption, and poor infrastructure contributed to the unstable… Continue reading The 2010 Haitian Earthquake: 8 Years Later

As we round out the holiday season, it is important to reflect on the sentiments that make this time of year so special: giving, family, and reflection. This month, we turn our donor spotlight to a more recent addition to the Wisconsin Microfinance donor family, Aaron Gary. Originally from California, Gary has been living in… Continue reading Donor Spotlight: Aaron Gary

There’s the old adage that goes “It is better to give than to receive” that we all have heard from our parents and one we all will likely pass on the same. When I was a child, I did not understand this phrase-receiving was the best! But, as I got older, like most people, I… Continue reading What Makes A Gift?