Micro Finance for the world's poorest people. - PhillyBlog

Colin P. Varga · #1 (**permalink**) 05-17-2007, 11:19 PM

I found this site and thought it was interesting:

Grameen Foundation uses microfinance and innovative technology to fight global poverty and bring opportunities to the world's poorest people. With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women, start businesses and escape poverty. Our global network of microfinance partners has already reached over 3 million families in 22 countries.

Grameen Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

http://www.grameenfoundation.org/welcome/moms_day_07/

Tannhauser · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2007, 08:40 AM

Certainly a better idea than going through government channels where the money is just stolen by the corrupt leadership in the third world countries.

I guess my only problem with that organization is that they seem to openly discriminate against men who are often culturally expected to be the providers for their families.

Colin P. Varga · #3 (**permalink**) 05-20-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

]I guess my only problem with that organization is that they seem to openly discriminate against men who are often culturally expected to be the providers for their families.

I suppose it might be the difference between the cultural expectation and the reality that many women are the providers for families without father's.

GMonkey · #4 (**permalink**) 05-20-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin P. Varga

I suppose it might be the difference between the cultural expectation and the reality that many women are the providers for families without father's.

Perhaps they have evidence that the male heads of household are more likely to squander the loan monies?

phillyaggie · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2007, 08:22 PM

you guys should read-up more on Grameen and its founder. They won the Nobel Peace Prize, afterall. They got started off with UN funding but have grown since, and have inspired such micro-financing all over the world, even right here in the U.S.

And yes, they and many such micro-lenders target women. Why? Because you empower a woman and she empowers her girl child, a whole village. It's funny that this is the first place I read that cast aspersion on Grameen because it "discrimates" against men! hah! The whole idea is to make women more independent and take charge. And no, that's not just in "third world" countries....women get illtreated in America as well.

Other such micro-finance schemes that I know of target street-vendors, child-workers, etc. It's all about empowering those and putting money in the hands of those who would otherwise have no say in how they live, their health, their children's wellbeing, etc.

GMonkey · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyaggie

you guys should read-up more on Grameen and its founder. They won the Nobel Peace Prize, afterall. They got started off with UN funding but have grown since, and have inspired such micro-financing all over the world, even right here in the U.S.

And yes, they and many such micro-lenders target women. Why? Because you empower a woman and she empowers her girl child, a whole village. It's funny that this is the first place I read that cast aspersion on Grameen because it "discrimates" against men! hah! The whole idea is to make women more independent and take charge. And no, that's not just in "third world" countries....women get illtreated in America as well.

Other such micro-finance schemes that I know of target street-vendors, child-workers, etc. It's all about empowering those and putting money in the hands of those who would otherwise have no say in how they live, their health, their children's wellbeing, etc.

He was a guest on the Daily Show right after he won the Nobel. In addition to being a kindhearted smartypants, he has a great sense of humor!

Tannhauser · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyaggie

And yes, they and many such micro-lenders target women. Why? Because you empower a woman and she empowers her girl child, a whole village. It's funny that this is the first place I read that cast aspersion on Grameen because it "discrimates" against men! hah! The whole idea is to make women more independent and take charge. And no, that's not just in "third world" countries....women get illtreated in America as well.

So you agree that they discriminate, and you're okay with that because you think the group being discriminated against deserves it.
Nothing unusual about a view like that. There's people who think it's okay to discriminate against people based on race, religion, ethnicity, physical malady, etc. It tends to indicate that you view people as part of a group, rather than as an individual, but again, lots of people believe that.
Just so happens I don't, but we'll agree to disagree.

Kecera · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2007, 12:18 PM

"With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women..."

It doesn't exclude men.

Tannhauser · #9 (**permalink**) 05-21-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kecera

"With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women..."

It doesn't exclude men.

That's why I didn't say it excluded men. It merely discriminates against them.

phillyaggie · #10 (**permalink**) 05-21-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

So you agree that they discriminate, and you're okay with that because you think the group being discriminated against deserves it.
Nothing unusual about a view like that. There's people who think it's okay to discriminate against people based on race, religion, ethnicity, physical malady, etc. It tends to indicate that you view people as part of a group, rather than as an individual, but again, lots of people believe that.
Just so happens I don't, but we'll agree to disagree.

It doesn't discriminate against men, as much as it targets aid to women. Are you going to say that the local battered women's shelter discriminates against men because it only accepts women?!