10-Year Anniversary of Helping Kenyan Villagers Out of Poverty
Come on by! Here’s our press release about the party:
Healdsburg, CA—March 12, 2010— Village Hopecore International (VHI), a non-profit organization working to alleviate poverty through micro-lending and business training to small family businesses in Chogoria, Kenya, announced its 10 Year Anniversary Celebration. The event takes place at Zizi Clothing and Gallery, Healdsburg, California on March 26, 2010, from 7:30 pm – 9 pm. The wonderful photography of Dr. Phil Rasori, who is just back from Kenya, will be on display.
VHI, established in Healdsburg in 2000 by Dr. Kajira K. Mugambi, has helped many small family businesses with their unique combination of loans, business training, personal development, and professional mentoring. Loan groups are comprised of 12 individuals, who commit to helping each other to pay back their loans. VHI has funded 29 loan groups or 348 individuals. Each individual in these groups has an average of 6 dependents—usually a combination of their own children and those of family members—in this area ravaged by malaria, HIV, and drought. VHI’s microloans have enhanced the lives of 2,088 villagers, allowing them access to better nutrition, education, and water quality. The borrowers have a 95% repayment rate. But there are 40 more groups waiting for loans. The spring event invites people to come and learn more about VHI and its mission and enjoy the photography of Dr. Rasori, a teacher and consultant in the fields of global health and international development.
Dr. Rasori has served as the medical director of Village Hopecore International for the last 10 years. Dr. Rasori is coordinating the health initiative program that provides mosquito nets to micro-loan recipient families for malaria prevention, health assessments, and education by our volunteer health coordinator.
His work in global health has allowed him to travel and photograph indigenous peoples in some of the world’s most remote areas, including the island of New Guinea, Tibet, Bhutan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, the Brazilian Amazon, and Antarctica. Best known for his exhibits on the endangered cultures of New Guinea, he has led eight field seminars on the island over the last 18 years and is working on a large format photography book on ceremonial dress on the island.
With this event, VHI hopes to garner funds for the growing family businesses in Chogoria helping the community develop. The aim is to enroll enthusiastic volunteers and motivate donors to generously contribute to further this cause.