Words On A Woman’s Investment
I got a wonderful invitation a few weeks ago. It was from Jasmin Tragas, who writes at Wonderwebby. She wrote asking me I would contribute just one sentence for a project she’s leading to support female entrepreneurs in the Philippines.
I was flattered by the invitation. Jasmin said she was writing to women with an entrepreneurial spirit.
Along the way, you made an investment. It may have been words you spoke, a course you undertook, a gift you gave, a smile, a risk or an adventure. Perhaps another woman made an investment in you.
It’s a language that’s plain, personal and direct. She spoke directly to me, and got me thinking about the investments I’ve made, that others have made in me, and investments I’m going to continue to make in the future. Her words made me feel more optimistic, more confident, more connected. They were words that made a difference.
I didn’t have to do much to get involved – just write once sentence, on a woman’s investment. Actually it proved remarkably hard to find ‘the right’ sentence… till I eventually decided to stop the search for the perfect words that would be ‘good enough’ for such an inspiring project, and just write what came from my heart.
Deep roots, bright leaves, the strength to weather storms: when a woman invests I know that growth will follow.
Jasmin’s going to compile the words people round the world have written into a set of slides to be posted on Slideshare next month. You can see an example of a slideshare (and some early contributions) here. People will then be asked to make a voluntary contribution for viewing the slides as a contribution to the fundraising target: $10,000 for a trust bank for a group of female entrepreneurs in the Philippines.
The money Jasmin is raising will enable 15 to 30 entrepreneurial poor (mainly women) to form a Trust Bank. They co-guarantee each other’s loans to start small businesses and support their families, working together so that all may succeed in their individual businesses. The Trust Bank is established in a community where over half the residents are living below the national poverty line (typically $1-2 a day.)
In addition to the loan the funding provides enterprise development services, including training in business and management skills, social and community issues such as health, sanitation and community participation – and personal development. The members meet each week to make their repayments, discuss issues relevant to their businesses and personal lives, and receive business training and mentoring.
You can find out more about the project here (including how to get involved if you’d like to add your own words). If you want to go straight ahead and chip in to support the fundraising project you can do so here.
Thanks once again Jasmin for inviting me to support this project, even in a small way. I look forward to watching the growth and development of the project over the weeks, months, and years to come.
Hi Joanna. Thank you sooo much for taking the time to write a really beautiful contribution AND write a blog post about it. More than I could hope for. Thanks a million. I’m sure your words will resonate with women around the world to take action in their lives.
Jasmin Tragass last blog post..Bragging for Dummies
Jasmin, I wanted to spread the word about what you were doing. Besides, it was such a good fit for the theme of responsibility, and a follow up to the conversations around Blog Action Day.
I’m very excited about your project, and look forward to hearing more.
Joanna, what a powerful project! I plan to support Jasmin and look forward to sharing it with others as well. I love your sentence and I can only imagine that if one sentence could have so much impact, I may be moved to tears when others are added. What a wonderful way to give help and hope to other women entrepreneurs.
Karen Swims last blog post..A Design for a New Day
Karen, thank you so much for your words. I’m delighted you’re planning to support Jasmin too. I think it’s a project we’re all going to get a lift from
Very inspiring project! It sounds like a great plan, as the project does not stop at raising the money, but also plans to train these women to have a better chance to succeed.
Alina Popescus last blog post..A Book a Week: Simon Kernick – Relentless
Alina, thanks for noticing the detail of the project. You’re right, it offers lots of potential to succeed, which is why the growth image seemed the right one. Plus it gives those of us who get involved the chance to learn and grow too. Perfect!
[...] She is going to create slide show featuring all the sentences that people have contributed and use that to support her fundraising campaign. (You can see an example of a slideshare (and some early contributions) here.) She is hoping to raise ,000 for a group of female entrepreneurs in the Philippines. [...]
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