March 28, 2008

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Today was a very short and important day. We dove up into Bella Florida and lead a seminar for SHI. SHI has begun a mico-loan bank. I am still learning about the exact deal, translating has made the issue very complicated, but it seems to be a wonderful plan. Apartently SHI matches funds that the community contributes. There was no talk of interest rates and considering SHI is a non-profit orgainization, I imagine that the payback plan is design to develop disipline more than to make a profit. There was a good showing, 23 people showed up and we were expecting 25. All the people greated us graciously and listened well and asked many questions. We needed at least 10 people to commit to the program in order to eligible and 15 people signed up. This program will loan money to farmers and people interested in starting a small business. They will have the assistence of SHI staff members and will be encouraged to run all ideas past SHI prior to going ahead with their ideas. For many, the idea of an extra $1000 for farming is life changing...

$500 is the maximam amount that SHI is willing to donate at this time. Everyone that is involved will also contribute some of their personal income. As the projects become sucessful, the amount of money donated will be increased. This is an opportunity for people to work together for their common good and to get a chance to move ahead. We are not throwing money at a problem, we are designing an infrastructer. We handed out cups of Coke Cola and cookies at the end of the seminar and loaded a bus back home. Many of the people had several miles of mountains to hike back to.

This proved to me that the community is aware of what SHI is offering and wants to take advantage of the opportunites. They had to make an effort to get out to the meeting and they will have to make another effort of saving and working together. This is not a wellfare program. These people are working hard and SHI is giving them a break. I love this program and what it is doing for the envirornment, ecomony, and the social issues that these people face. The money that was raised through the fundraising party I held in Seaside is helping to make this all possible. Thank you again to all the doners!

We have a few more seminars set up around Panama. I just hope that the turnout and response was as wonderful as it was today. Tomorrow is a free day, I plan on going back to the beach...

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