WorldShapers ebook for you

Here is my gift to you - an ebook featuring some amazing women. I feel so privileged that these women shared their stories with me , and I hope you are inspired by their words!

thanks to AlpeniMi for the cover image

Beyond a Creative Challenge

Following on from the success of the Women's Investment slide project, which raised over AU$500 towards a group microfinance project in the Philippines - it's time for a new creative challenge. I hope you are personally inspired along the way :) All you need to do is respond to this challenge (see basic rules below) and you have a chance of winning a gift set of personalized postcards, minicards and stickers courtesy of MOO and a copy of "World Poverty for Dummies" courtesy of Wiley Australia!

The theme for this creative fundraising challenge is about thinking "Beyond". It's about changing your world. It's about innovation, vision and hope. And it's about making a difference.

Beyond yourself...towards the world.
Beyond the immediate...towards the possibilities.
Beyond having an idea...towards sharing it.
Beyond observing...towards participating.
Beyond poverty...towards empowerment and opportunity.

Image courtesy of Opportunity International Australia

Some basic "rules":

1. Be creative. You could share a story, an opinion, your experience, a motif, a poem, a picture, a short video, a call to action, or…you decide! The idea is to share something that represents a way to think “beyond” and make a difference in the world

2. Place a link on your response to this original post. You could also mention that this is all about raising awareness and funds for a microfinance project in the Philippines.

3. Verify your entry by commenting on this original post. with a link to your response

Examples of what you could write/create:

• a blog post about dreaming big
  
• an example of how someone made a difference by using their imagination
• an illustration about opportunity
• a photo illustrating why we need to think "beyond"
• a video montage of words and images

Get the picture? :)

You have until Sunday December 21st 2008(midnight AEST) to contribute. The winner (as selected by a random draw of all entries) will receive a prize. The prize includes a personalized pack from MOO including 20 x POSTCARDS, 100 MINICARDS and 90 STICKERS valued at around $50

AND a copy of World Poverty for Dummies by Wiley Australia ($34.95)

In addition, any DONATIONS received before 21 December will also be in a random draw for a copy of World Poverty for Dummies.

Winners will first be contacted about their prize and announced later in a follow-up post. I hope you will join in and share your thoughts about thinking "beyond" :) I will be featuring all responses on this tumblelog.

Ultimately this is all about raising AU$10,000 for a group microfinance project in the Philippines through the work of Women's Opportunity/Opportunity International Australia. Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Beyond helping just one person, this project will help at least 15 women work their way out of poverty, learn new skills and impact their communities.

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.