Our Fourth Year Is Starting Out Strong!

The Wellshire Microfinance Committee did not meet in October, but that doesn't mean our members haven't been busy! Since the end of September, WMF team members have made 42 loans for $1,050 on the Kiva website. I am so thankful for this group of dedicated individuals who continue to feel moved to help people around the world build a better life for themselves.

We will meet on Thursday, November 20 at noon at Wellshire and redistribute funds from loan paybacks to invest in new loans. We currently have $314 in loan paybacks, which I expect will increase a bit by the time we meet. If you cannot attend the meeting on November 20, please stop by our table at the Alternative Christmas Market on Sunday, November 23.

If you are interested in learning more about Kiva and the Microfinance Committee, or perhaps joining the team, please contact Katy Fink-Johnson at kafink@presby.edu, 720-488-8706.

Greetings from Tanzania!

Read on for updates on Leonard and his group Mafinga, recipients of a Wellshire Microfinance loan:



Greetings from Tanzania! Thank you for supporting Leonard and his group Mafinga,with the loan. With the loan he received from Kiva partner Tujijenge, he used to buy more flour, sugar, eggs and cooking fat to make more cakes. He managed to do so and his monthly profit really rose. He used the profit to pay for his welfare costs and plow back to business. He is so proud of Kiva. He and his group Mafinga, are so grateful with the loan and thankful with everyone who has supported them.

Thank you, Kiva Lenders, Please click on the following link to see other; loaning to Tujijenge Tanzania
Tujijenge Tanzania Ltd
Posted by Rita Nyaborogo from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Sep 30, 2014

September Begins a New Season

We have begun our fourth year with an outstanding month. Our members invested in 68 loans worth $1,725. We had loans made by our committee, the Pioneers, and Club 45, in addition to many loans made by individuals. Many thanks to all who contributed. It was a team effort.

September was also a transition month for WMF. Katy Fink-Johnson has graciously volunteered to take over as moderator. She brings energy, enthusiasm for microfinance, and dedication. I have no doubt that WMF will continue to grow under her leadership. Please support her in her new calling.

I am stepping aside after three years as moderator, but I intend to continue as an active member of WMF. It has been a blessing in my life to watch WMF grow into a viable organization in the fight against worldwide poverty. I want to personally thank all of you who helped WMF succeed.

Wes Smits

Report for August 2014

August was a slow month for WMF. We made seven loans worth $175. Our cumulative totals are now 1082 loans worth $28,175. That is not surprising, since July was a record month. Nonetheless, now might be a good time to check our portfolios for loan paybacks which we can invest in new loans. When you make a new loan, Kiva will automatically subtract your account balance from the cost of a new loan.

At our next meeting on Thursday,September 18, we will have a balance of at least $281 to invest in new loans. The balance will probably be much higher by that time. Everyone is welcome to join us at 12:00 pm at Wellshire Church for our meeting.

July Was a Record Month!

After a slowdown in June, we stepped up in July with a record month for loans. Our members came through with 75 loans. At our meeting in June, we made 18 loans, all from loan paybacks. Our cumulative totals through July are 1,075 loans worth $28,000. Our members remain committed to helping the poor improve their economic circumstances. We are grateful for your continued efforts to supply a cup of cold water to those who live in poverty around the world.

Summer is a bit slow...

Since the beginning of May, lending has slowed down a bit. We have made 31 loans worth $775. We did not have a June meeting, so there will be over $300 in loan paybacks to invest at our July meeting on July 17. Currently, we have made 999 loans since the beginning less than 3 years ago. It will be a time of thanks when we pass 1,000 loans.

Our Faithful Members

The fact that we didn't hold a meeting in April did not slow down our members. Our investments totaled 49 loans worth $1,250. Our members took the initiative to invest without prompting. It's clear that we view KIVA as a very efficacious program to help fight poverty in the world. Since our start in September 2012, we have made a total of 968 loans worth $25,275. Thank you to all who participated. We pray for God's blessing on the people to whom we've made loans.