Notes from the Field: ProLiteracy/FINCA El Salvador Trip
ProLiteracy in El Salvador
Lynn Curtis and I recently spent 10 days in El Salvador working on a pilot project with FINCA, a micro finance bank that provides poverty solutions through small business loans. This project, sponsored by the Citi Foundation, focuses on improving small businesses through literacy lessons, business coaching, networking among village bank members, and community action. With us were Dean Curtis, Lynn's brother, who led the business training part of our visit, and John Hatch, founder of FINCA, International.
Forty-six leaders took part in the business training. They were excited to learn how to lead group discussions and problem solve with other village bank members. Instead of feeling depressed about the economy and lack of jobs, people started recognizing social problems in their communities that affect their businesses and families such as crime, gang violence, garbage/pollution, poor access to the main streets, and flooding. Immediately they started planning projects such as home repair from rain water and flood damage, building soccer fields (to keep young boys from joining gangs), helping widows to starting businesses, reaching out to single mothers, starting literacy classes for members who still sign papers with their thumb prints, and cleaning up garbage around the community. One leader asked all of the members who could read and write to choose a partner whom they would tutor and help become literate so they that too, could participate in the business improvement sessions.
-Alesha Anderson, ProLiteracy International Programs Officer
Lynn Curtis and I recently spent 10 days in El Salvador working on a pilot project with FINCA, a micro finance bank that provides poverty solutions through small business loans. This project, sponsored by the Citi Foundation, focuses on improving small businesses through literacy lessons, business coaching, networking among village bank members, and community action. With us were Dean Curtis, Lynn's brother, who led the business training part of our visit, and John Hatch, founder of FINCA, International.
Forty-six leaders took part in the business training. They were excited to learn how to lead group discussions and problem solve with other village bank members. Instead of feeling depressed about the economy and lack of jobs, people started recognizing social problems in their communities that affect their businesses and families such as crime, gang violence, garbage/pollution, poor access to the main streets, and flooding. Immediately they started planning projects such as home repair from rain water and flood damage, building soccer fields (to keep young boys from joining gangs), helping widows to starting businesses, reaching out to single mothers, starting literacy classes for members who still sign papers with their thumb prints, and cleaning up garbage around the community. One leader asked all of the members who could read and write to choose a partner whom they would tutor and help become literate so they that too, could participate in the business improvement sessions.
-Alesha Anderson, ProLiteracy International Programs Officer
Dear Alesha,
ReplyDeleteAs I read through various posts, I cannot help but think of all that could be learned experientially through internships and fellowships. Does Proliteracy offer such experiences for college students and/or the general public?
@Kristucker Currently ProLiteracy does not have any internships available. We have offered opportunities for field experience through internships in the past, but we are currently re-designing our intern program. We will be sure to post information on the blog once the new Intern Program is active!
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