Dear Colombia RPCV,

Rather than send ‘a thousand words,’ I invite you to view pictorial reports of The Colombia Project’s recent due diligence trip. Click here, then click on FACEBOOK PAGE, then click on the album names (WAYUU Life in La Guajira, Weavers Coop Expansion, and FUNDEHUMAC Feb-Mar(2010) Site Visit) to learn how the work of  The Colombia Project and its partners improve lives of marginalized families.  

From February 26th - March 3rd board members Helene Dudley and David Snyder visited programs administered by FUNDEHUMAC, our partner in Santa Marta. Since 2004, FUNDEHUMAC has supported 125 loans with an average size of $277 and has now convinced several banks to extend loans to the most promising micro-entrepreneurs.  In addition to the micro-loans, FUNDEHUMAC will administer a 2nd grant to expand an indigenous weaving cooperative in hopes of preventing further displacement of WAYUU families from remote areas of the Guajira.

One album shows living conditions in Musichi, an indigenous settlement in La Guajira.  The second explains how FUNDEHUMAC and FUNDECOINDIGENAS, a weavers’ cooperative, will use a $5450 grant from the AMB Foundation to help residents of Musichi and nearby settlements improve their lives.  A third album contains an update report for the communal banks established in April of 2009 to empower communities to manage their own loan funds.

100% of donations to The Colombia Project are sent to Colombia where, to date, they have benefitted 500 micro-entrepreneurs excluded from traditional banking services. Over the last 10 years, each dollar donated has been invested at least twice and has helped pay salaries, build a fish pond to supplement a food lunch program, and pay for transportation, computers and equipment – more than doubling the social impact of your generosity.  

Thank you to those who have already donated through our spring fundraising drive.  The Colombia Project board, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida, our partners in Colombia and especially the micro-loan recipients appreciate your ongoing support.

Un Abrazo

Helene  

Helene Dudley
2151 SW 17 St
Miami, Fl 33145-2117
305 856-5573