I think it should be mandatory for every university degree to include a volunteer component, whether locally or internationally. Why? I have recently returned to my home in Canada after eight months of working at a Costa Rican microfinance organization. Most of my friends have university degrees and[...]
Posts Tagged ‘Microfinance’
Profits vs. People
Costa Rica is arguably the most “developed” country in Central America. But at what cost has this “development” been attained? Is it really an accomplishment to be able to say, ¨We cater to the interests of gringos better than anyone else?¨ Or would it be more noble to pass[...]
Working on Working with Dios
Being surrounded by co-workers who believe in something you don´t can be stressful, but I´m working on it. [...]
Mother Hen
In the past week I bid my family of Honduran friends farewell, packed my things, moved continents (now in Santiago, Chile!), found a new apartment, learned a new public transportation system, and visited three offices of Fondo Esperanza (the new Kiva partner I’m working with). This morning[...]
Falso! A Musing on Fake Money in South America
In both Bolivia and Peru, counterfeit money is a very serious topic. There is so much false money floating around that it is extremely possible that at some point or another, you will try to buy fruit from the doña selling fruit on the corner and she will return your bill or coin exclaiming, [...][...]
When Microenergy and Microfinance Meet
Part of my role at blueEnergy is to manage our two loans through our local microfinance institution. Who would have thought a portfolio of a little over $1,200 would be so challenging? Earlier in 2009, blueEnergy received funds to subsidize individual solar systems for two communities: Set Net Point[...]
