An eBook about some amazing WorldShapers

A little while ago I mentioned that I wanted to create a gift for YOU, to thank you for all your great help. Together we have raised AU$4,000 towards a $10k microfinance Trust Group for Filipino women currently living in poverty.

In about a month YOU will be treated to something to help you dream big - an inspirational eBook called WorldShapers, featuring some extraordinary women making an impact!

Image originally uploaded by Todd Huffman

What's WorldShapers all about? It's about women embracing the power of technology and social media to make a bigger difference and shape their world. I've encountered many such initiatives as part of this campaign for Opportunity International, and I look forward to sharing these stories of collaboration, of initiative, and of creativity. Their inspiring stories will focus on the value of community and will be released as a free eBook at the end of May. The delightful Joanna Young of Confident Writing is also helping to put this eBook together.

Some amazing women who have indicated their involvement with the WorldShapers eBook (you can @wonderwebby me if you also want to be included):

Eileen Clegg – Visual Journalist and Founder of Visual Insight @eileenclegg USA
Phaedra Boinidiris – CEO and Co-Founder of WomenGamers.com USA
Anita Pahor – Director of Partnerships at Emberin Australia
Amy Jussel – Founder/Executive Director of Shaping Youth USA
Marigo Raftopolous - Management Consultant, Serious Games evangelist @marigo Australia
Stacey Monk - CEO and Co-Founder of Epic Change @staceymonk USA
Lucky Chhetri - Co-founder EWN - Empowering Women of Nepal , Nepal
Daphne Nederhorst - Founder and Executive Director of SAWA Canada
Amy Sample Ward Director of community and content at Netsquared and nonprofit consultant @amyrsward UK
Jyl Johnson Pattee Co-Founder of Mom It Forward @jyl_momIF USA
Annie Le Cavalier- Executive Director Vibewire Youth Inc. @vibewire Australia
Karen Muanu - Love Without Boundaries @KarenMaunu_LWB USA
Debra Askanase- Social Media for Non Profits @askdebra Jerusalem
Dr Angela A Thomas - Author Youth Online, Sydney University @anyaixchel Australia
Nancy White - Founder, Full Circle Associates @NancyWhite USA

I am also seeking companies who want to make a difference, to 'sponsor' this eBook. Melbourne based company Incentive House have already made the first generous donation of AU$600 towards this Trust Group (in addition to their previous donation for the blogging challenge.) It might be a big ask in the current economic climate, but I'm counting on the generous spirit and willingness of companies like Incentive House to help change lives. If just 10 more companies join in, we will reach the goal of providing a $10k Trust Group for a community in the Philippines. All tax deductible donations (applies in Australia only) go towards this project for Opportunity International and corporate donors will be mentioned in the eBook - email worldshapers at gmail.com or @wonderwebby by May 18th if you are interested.
**update - Seek Volunteer have also donated $500 - thank you! **

Here's some more background to the project:

Last year I stepped out on a journey to raise AU$10,000 for a Trust Group in the Philippines, as a volunteer Ambassador for Opportunity International Australia, by June 31st 2009 .

The funds will create microloans and a 2 year enterprise development program to empower between 15 to 30 (mostly women) entrepreneurial poor. The Trust Group 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 also 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. Once the loans are repaid the donation will be recycled to another Trust Group.

So far around 40% of this has been raised through a series of social media efforts. All the money raised goes towards this Chipin for Opportunity International Australia at the end of June or as soon as the $10,000 has been raised. Anyone can donate.

I look forward to sharing WorldShapers with you towards the end of May, and once again, thank YOU for helping me make a difference for many mothers currently living in poverty. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Stay tuned!!

Shout Out Social 2009

I've finally (and quietly) launched the next creative project for this Opportunity Australia project.
You can find more details on the Facebook Fanpage or by reading these slides

Shout Out Social 2009

View more presentations or upload your own. (tags: exhibition art)

or by simply adding a shout out image to the Shout Out Social Flickr group. Just add a 'shouting out' image (use your webcam and shout into if you have to!) and a word of inspiration on the picture eg 'hope' 'opportunity'. Easy, right?

Ideally I'd like to have a few more things in place - but I'm glad I've made a start. Now it's just a matter of finding people to add their Shout Outs. Oh, and please remember to donate - just $5 or $10 via paypal makes a huge difference to reaching this goal. We're 10% of the way there...

Inspiring words. Inspiring action.

You might wonder why I chose the theme "a woman's investment".
Why not "a woman's dream" or "a woman's inspiration"?

I think amazing things can happen when a woman breathes life into her dreams and invests of herself to turn those dreams into an inspiring reality. She invests from the moment she gives these seeds of innovation some thought and vision. Then as she rises up with confidence to take action, she invests in other ways - her steps, her voice, her effort, her finances and her time.

Investment requires action. Sometimes it involves sacrifice, strength and courage. Small investments and large all have impact. Some women risk their lives to defend and provide for their children. The small community of poor women in the Philippines will invest in their livelihoods, their families and their community. So far over 20 women have invested some time to come up with an inspiring sentence on the theme of a Woman's Investment. I'd love for you to share your own quote. You can speak from your own experience, your journey or your insight.

Joanna Young over at Confident Writing shared these wonderful words and her own photo

Deep roots, bright leaves, the strength to weather storms:
when a woman invests I know that growth will follow.

You have until the 31st of October (your time zone) to contribute...please let me know if you are interested.

Seeking your inspiring words!

I'm really amazed at the responses I have received to date for the Women's Investment slideshare project. So far twenty women - from CEOs to photographers, directors and small business owners - have shared a sentence for the slides.

“When a woman invests in the lives of others she propels herself forward into more of her own destiny…the unlikely dividend of living a life for others is discovering the purpose of your own”
Anita Pahor, Women’s Opportunity Director, Australia.

A Womans Investment - invitation to contribute

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: wonderwebby quotes)

You still have until the end of the month to share your sentence. If you are a woman with entrepreneurial spirit and you would like to contribute to this special project:

1. Write a sentence on the theme of “A woman’s Investment” on LinkedIn by the end of October. Alternatively you can email me privately at jasmin at wonderwebby dot com with your response or intent to respond. Or just leave a comment here!

2. Please include your name, title/company (optional) and Country.
If you have a blog or company website you can list that too, as I will compile an additional list of all contributors and links on my blog.

And please spread the word for people to join in or donate! Thank you!

To donate: http://wonderwebby.chipin.com

A Woman's Investment. A special project.

What's this all about?

Recently I joined Women’s Opportunity as a formal Ambassador. Over the next year, amongst other things I aim to raise $10,000 for the non profit Opportunity International Australia towards microfinance and enterprise development solutions in the Philippines, to help women work their way out of poverty.

The money raised will create a Trust Bank in the Philippines for a group of 15 to 30 women. They will be supported over a two year cycle by a Loan Officer, training (eg customer service) to develop their own small businesses using microfinance. I will share an update with contributors every 6 months so you can see a photo of the women and get an update of how your generous donation has assisted them.

I’m looking forward to a creative year, full of innovative and fun ways to make this happen! Like this special project “A Woman’s Investment” (please join in!)

And of course, you can help me on this journey by making a contribution - even $10 will help me towards my goal. Please contact me jasmin {at} wonderwebby {dot} com if you require a receipt for tax purposes. You can donate here (using Paypal or Visa)

Thanks! And please feel free to share any ideas, experiences or feedback.