Wellshire Church partners with KIVA, an international program committed to alleviating poverty and creating opportunity through interpersonal lending. Wellshire Microfinance is open to all, so please feel free to join and contribute! "... what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" -- Micah 6:8
Monday, September 30, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Wellshire Microfinance Report for August 2013
One Year and Eleven Months Later...
Back on September 28, 2011, we held our first meeting of Wellshire Microfinance with $500 seed money. We had no idea if anyone would show up or how long we could sustain interest or growth. We were pleasantly surprised that people were interested and excited about the concept. As we went along, we were always surprised and thankful that our members came through for us whenever our coffers were rather empty.On August 31, 2013, Wellshire Microfinance made our 600th loan. In 23 months. Our totals are now 605 loans worth $15,700. For the month of August, our members made 39 loans. For the last two months, we've made 80 loans. Wellshire Microfinance ranks 70th out of 1,049 religious congregations with Kiva. The temptation is to say WOW! and pat ourselves on the back, but after reflection we remember that God has given us so much and enabled us to use our resources to help others. For that we are humbly thankful.
A Month of Celebration
Since September is our two year anniversary, we would like to publicize our involvement with Kiva. If anyone has ideas how we might do this, please let me know. We could hold a registration drive the last Sunday of September. We could do a M4M. Other ideas? Please let me know soon if you can come up with something new. Any volunteers to carry out our plans?Many Thanks!
We owe thanks to many people. I would like to recognize them at this time:- Glen MacCallum and Dan Zuchegno for helping us get off the ground
- Rev. Dr. Pattie Kitchen who was the driving force to get us moving
- Steve Cearley for helping us with computer issues
- Curtis Roe for operating the computer and projector
- All of the great people who took a chance on WMF when we were starting out.
- Sonya Merriam for her invaluable computer graphics skills and her enthusiasm for WMF and Kiva
- All the generous people who donated money to keep us "in business"
- All the kind and generous people who made loans whenever they were able
- All the investors whose faithful and generous investments extended our reach to so many poor and needy people in this world beyond what we thought possible
Most of all, thanks to our merciful Savior, who "came that we may have life and have it abundantly."
Wes Smits
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Letters from Kiva
Two recipients of Wellshire’s Microfinance microloans lent through Kiva wrote letters to their lenders. Click here to read their stories.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Wellshire Microfinance Responds in a Big Way
At the beginning of July, Kiva informed us that loan applicants were far exceeding the number of people making loans. When the word got out to our members, a variety of people responded. July's participants were the most diverse group we've had in some time. After our July meeting, when eight of our loan candidates were in danger of not being fully funded, more people came forward to make additional loans. All but one of the eight underfunded recipients are now fully funded.
In July, our members made 41 loans worth $1,025. Many of these loans, including the 12 we made at our meeting, were funded with loan paybacks. We also counted four loans from Club 45. One of our supporting members made 10 loans. The rest were one or two loan contributors. It was truly a team effort! Thanks to all! In spite of the summer vacation, team members were very active.
Our Cumulative Totals
Since our beginning on September 28, 2011, our team has made 566 loans worth $14,550. We have made our loaves and fishes multiply to feed thousands. Since most families in third world countries have 4-5 children, it's conceivable we have helped close to 3,000 people. A cause for praise and gratitude!
New Members Needed
We have been steady at 48 members for quite some time. It would be wonderful if we could increase that number. For our second anniversary on September 28, 2013, let's see if we can increase our membership to 50.
In July, our members made 41 loans worth $1,025. Many of these loans, including the 12 we made at our meeting, were funded with loan paybacks. We also counted four loans from Club 45. One of our supporting members made 10 loans. The rest were one or two loan contributors. It was truly a team effort! Thanks to all! In spite of the summer vacation, team members were very active.
Our Cumulative Totals
Since our beginning on September 28, 2011, our team has made 566 loans worth $14,550. We have made our loaves and fishes multiply to feed thousands. Since most families in third world countries have 4-5 children, it's conceivable we have helped close to 3,000 people. A cause for praise and gratitude!
New Members Needed
We have been steady at 48 members for quite some time. It would be wonderful if we could increase that number. For our second anniversary on September 28, 2013, let's see if we can increase our membership to 50.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Results of July 19, 2013 Meeting
At our meeting on July 19, we made 12 microloans and were left with a balance of $5.95. The significant part is we were able to fund these loans entirely with loan paybacks. No money came from our restricted funds. We made loans in Azerbaijan, Senegal (2), Ghana, Samoa, Costa Rica, Mali, Togo, Ecuador, Kenya, Cambodia, and Sierra Leone. We are now up to 543 loans.
I don't want to give you the false impression that now we can relax because our loan paybacks generated the money for our microloans. Kiva announced this week that the number of prospective microloans far exceed the funds coming in to underwrite these loans. Now more than ever Kiva needs people to step up to finance the volume of loans. This is a critical time for third world countries. Because of better health and sanitation measures, as well as improving economies, populations are exploding. The populations in African countries are growing up to eight times faster than in the rest of the world. So the more generous and vigilant we are, the better chance Africa has to avoid a catastrophe.
We give thanks for those who were instrumental in making these loans possible and will hope that generosity continues. You can either select your own loans or give to Wellshire Microfinance through offerings and we will make the loans for you. Either way you are doing the Lord's work. The harvest is ripe.
Blessings on your efforts,
Wes Smits
I don't want to give you the false impression that now we can relax because our loan paybacks generated the money for our microloans. Kiva announced this week that the number of prospective microloans far exceed the funds coming in to underwrite these loans. Now more than ever Kiva needs people to step up to finance the volume of loans. This is a critical time for third world countries. Because of better health and sanitation measures, as well as improving economies, populations are exploding. The populations in African countries are growing up to eight times faster than in the rest of the world. So the more generous and vigilant we are, the better chance Africa has to avoid a catastrophe.
We give thanks for those who were instrumental in making these loans possible and will hope that generosity continues. You can either select your own loans or give to Wellshire Microfinance through offerings and we will make the loans for you. Either way you are doing the Lord's work. The harvest is ripe.
Blessings on your efforts,
Wes Smits
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
A Kiva Story: How People Choose Their Microloans
A Kiva Story: How People Choose Their Microloans
by Wes Smits
When we find hundreds or thousands of loans on Kiva.org to pick from, it’s difficult to pick one out. Some people go to the country of their ancestors for loan candidates; some go to a country they’ve visited once or worked in with the Peace Corps; some choose a certain occupation, such as artisan or tailor or farmer or food sales. Some people do careful due diligence and consider credit worthiness. Others look at the faces or the group name. Some choose by gender. Some carefully read the story of the applicant.
Recently, I chose a loan because of the person’s name. Usually, I start with the country of Cambodia. In the early 1980s, my wife Donna and I got involved with sponsoring Cambodian refugees. Our first refugee family consisted of a husband and wife, four small children, a widowed sister and her daughter, and the wife’s half brother. We found them a place to live, took them to medical appointments, helped them learn English, navigate the government bureaucracy, find jobs, and all sorts of miscellaneous stuff.
The one experience I remember vividly is taking their eldest daughter to kindergarten for the first day. She was frightened because she didn’t speak English, didn’t know anyone there, and had no idea what school was. Her name was Sopheak (pronounced So-peh). On a rainy September morning, I brought Sopheak to Mrs. Wilson’s classroom, stayed for about half an hour and then left. That night, I received a call from Mrs. Wilson, telling me that Sopheak had kicked her in the shin. I explained to Mrs. Wilson that Sopheak was a frightened little girl and urged her to be patient.
We soon lost track of Sopheak and her family because they moved to South Dakota to buy an Asian restaurant. About twenty years later, my wife and I were invited to a Cambodian wedding, which is a huge event in their culture. During the course of the reception, a lovely young lady came up to me and said, “Hi, Wes. Do you remember me?” Embarrassed, I said I didn’t recognize her. She said with a big smile, “I’m Sopheak.” She went on to tell me that she was married with two children, had gotten her nursing degree, and had gone on to become manager of nursing for a large pediatric clinic. Donna and I were so pleased and so proud of her.
Which brings me back to choosing loans on Kiva: As I was scrolling through the Cambodian loans, I ran across a rice farmer whose name was Sopheak. I didn’t go any further. I clicked on “Lend.” Later on, I read that this lady was from Battambang Province, the same place where our Sopheak was born. It doesn’t matter if the loan is ever paid back. I made the loan in honor of Cheng Sopheak, the young Cambodian girl who had come so far and made us so grateful and happy for all she had become.
by Wes Smits
When we find hundreds or thousands of loans on Kiva.org to pick from, it’s difficult to pick one out. Some people go to the country of their ancestors for loan candidates; some go to a country they’ve visited once or worked in with the Peace Corps; some choose a certain occupation, such as artisan or tailor or farmer or food sales. Some people do careful due diligence and consider credit worthiness. Others look at the faces or the group name. Some choose by gender. Some carefully read the story of the applicant.
Recently, I chose a loan because of the person’s name. Usually, I start with the country of Cambodia. In the early 1980s, my wife Donna and I got involved with sponsoring Cambodian refugees. Our first refugee family consisted of a husband and wife, four small children, a widowed sister and her daughter, and the wife’s half brother. We found them a place to live, took them to medical appointments, helped them learn English, navigate the government bureaucracy, find jobs, and all sorts of miscellaneous stuff.
The one experience I remember vividly is taking their eldest daughter to kindergarten for the first day. She was frightened because she didn’t speak English, didn’t know anyone there, and had no idea what school was. Her name was Sopheak (pronounced So-peh). On a rainy September morning, I brought Sopheak to Mrs. Wilson’s classroom, stayed for about half an hour and then left. That night, I received a call from Mrs. Wilson, telling me that Sopheak had kicked her in the shin. I explained to Mrs. Wilson that Sopheak was a frightened little girl and urged her to be patient.
We soon lost track of Sopheak and her family because they moved to South Dakota to buy an Asian restaurant. About twenty years later, my wife and I were invited to a Cambodian wedding, which is a huge event in their culture. During the course of the reception, a lovely young lady came up to me and said, “Hi, Wes. Do you remember me?” Embarrassed, I said I didn’t recognize her. She said with a big smile, “I’m Sopheak.” She went on to tell me that she was married with two children, had gotten her nursing degree, and had gone on to become manager of nursing for a large pediatric clinic. Donna and I were so pleased and so proud of her.
Which brings me back to choosing loans on Kiva: As I was scrolling through the Cambodian loans, I ran across a rice farmer whose name was Sopheak. I didn’t go any further. I clicked on “Lend.” Later on, I read that this lady was from Battambang Province, the same place where our Sopheak was born. It doesn’t matter if the loan is ever paid back. I made the loan in honor of Cheng Sopheak, the young Cambodian girl who had come so far and made us so grateful and happy for all she had become.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Totals for June, New Meeting Day in July, and New Loan Opportunities
Totals for June
Since May 20, 2013, when we reached 500 loans, our team has made an additional 25 loans. Our totals now stand at 525 loans worth $13,500. Considering graduations, weddings and vacations, June was still a very good month for WMF. A big part of our success in June was that team members checked their account balances under "My Portfolio" and reinvested their loan paybacks. One person in particular made the majority of our loans for June using his loan paybacks. In June, Kiva made several distributions of payback money. Our team currently has $232 in our account, which we will invest at our July meeting.If you haven't checked lately, please go to "My Portfolio" and check your account balance. Just click on the orange bubble "Relend Credit" and Kiva will deduct your credit from the cost of your new loan. Using the loan credit I had, the new loan I made this morning cost me $10.03 If we all make an effort to reinvest the credits in our accounts, we could generate several new loans.
New Meeting Day in July
Some people have difficulty attending our meetings on Thursdays at noon. To give these people an opportunity to attend a meeting, we will hold our July meeting on Friday, July 19, at Noon. We will decide based on attendance whether to continue with Friday meetings or go back to Thursdays.New Loan Opportunities
This morning there were abundant loans available in Haiti (3), Zimbabwe (14) and Mali (94). The loans in Zimbabwe were to buy winter clothes for resale. We don't usually think of winter in Zimbabwe, but it happens there, too.
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