UPDATE: Unfortunately this project will not be going ahead. Thanks to all who signed up.

I am really excited to put forward an idea and am seeking expressions of interest to set up "The Village of Change".
What we need to do is get enough personal commitments to put together $5,000 to sponsor our very own Village Bank through which microloans are made available to the most needy in either Haiti, Jordan, Malawi or Tajikistan (to be decided by the group).
Once we get the money raised we are given a location and name of the bank, a group photo of the clients, their businesses and amount of each loan. After the first year we will also be provided with a progress report on the village.
We can all become one step closer and witness the process of a village of change!
Using a calculator provided on FINCA's site, our $5000 over the first year has a cumulative value of loans of $15000 over 300 clients which improves the lives of 1500 people. Expand this over a 5 year term and you see 7,500 lives improved!

Many of you will already be familiar with microfinance but you can get all the details from FINCA's website here:

http://www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIoE/b.2394109/k.BEA3/Home.htm

or check here for FINCA's 2006 report which offers a complete overview of this amazing organization including financial statements:

http://www.villagebanking.org/atf/cf/%7BF69F69E6-275A-4FA1-BC75-649E1EDCD1A4%7D/FINAL%202006%20Annual%20Report%2012.21.07%20single%20pages.pdf

My first $50 is burning a whole in my pocket. Are you ready to join me? ANY amount you can contribute is most welcome.