Changing hearts and minds

It's a new year and I am recharged after a short break with more enthusiasm to find creative webby ways to help end poverty for women and to help them make an impact. Hopefully you had time to rest and re-focus too.

So, here's a quick summary of 2008

• September - joined Women's Opportunity Ambassador program
• October/Nov - A Woman's Investment Slideshare project raises funds
• Nov/Dec - Beyond Project raises more funds (but end of year and credit crunch slows down fundraising)

To date around 10% of the funds has been raised to create a Trust Bank for a bunch of women in the Philippines. As soon as $10,000 is raised, the Trust Bank program can start! I understand that communities and people have been identified, interviewed and approved in these poverty stricken areas in the Philippines, it's just a matter of getting enough funds going.

Today I saw a tweet from @boywithaball which said "Community development requires more than handing out loans. It requires helping change their hearts and minds as well as their finances." It's why I really support this program and I'm committed to raising funds. I have set a target date of June 30th, but I'd love to see it happen even sooner. Please consider putting aside a few dollars a week (eg skip one coffee a week) so that by March you can make a donation to make a difference. All donations over $2 are tax deductible and receipts will be sent out in June (or earlier, if the Trust Bank AU$10k is raised earlier.)

More details to come. Have a great year ahead. And a big shout to Dan at Great Leadership who created a "Great Causes" section on his Great Leadership blog, linking to the Women's Opportunity Chipin. Thanks Dan!