Our group made investments consistently throughout the month. Whenever we have a pattern of investing from start to finish, we usually have a very good month. November was no exception. We finished the month with 46 loans worth $1175. Our cumulative totals are now 721 loans worth $18,625. In addition, we received two generous donations from our members. We are grateful for the participation of so many of our members. We look forward to strong participation in 2014.
May you experience the blessings of the Christmas season in the weeks ahead!
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
Friday, December 6, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Recap of November 2013 meeting
At our regularly scheduled meeting this past Thursday, our group was able to make 21 new loans. Ten of the loans were made using loan paybacks. Eleven loans were made using two recent generous donations. We are grateful to the two people who contributed the funds. The extra loans we were able to make put our cumulative total over 700 loans.
We received notice on Friday that loans to the Philippines will probably show on our accounts as delinquent because many of the loan recipients were totally wiped out and the Field Partner has no way to communicate with Kiva. I think it's likely that loans to the Philippines will go into default. Fortunately, we don't have many loans outstanding in the Philippines. You may want to check your portfolio to see if you have any loans there. We simply had no way of predicting that this would happen. Natural disasters of this magnitude affect every area of life. Pray for those affected by this horrible tragedy.
We received notice on Friday that loans to the Philippines will probably show on our accounts as delinquent because many of the loan recipients were totally wiped out and the Field Partner has no way to communicate with Kiva. I think it's likely that loans to the Philippines will go into default. Fortunately, we don't have many loans outstanding in the Philippines. You may want to check your portfolio to see if you have any loans there. We simply had no way of predicting that this would happen. Natural disasters of this magnitude affect every area of life. Pray for those affected by this horrible tragedy.
Monday, November 4, 2013
October 2013 Recap
This month, our members made 28 loans worth $700. We had some donors make multiple loans, which always makes our totals grow faster. Our cumulative totals through the end of October are 675 loans worth $17,450. Our members continue to invest regularly, including using up their loan paybacks.
Since the start of November, we have added 11 more loans which will be counted in the November totals. In addition, we will be able to invest our loan paybacks, which will add 10 - 12 more loans for November.
November is also the time for the Alternative Christmas Market. We hope to add new members at that time. If any of you would be willing to sit at our table for the ACM, please contact Wes Smits.
Thanks to everyone who participated in October. Your dedication to microfinance is so important to the success of our organization.
Since the start of November, we have added 11 more loans which will be counted in the November totals. In addition, we will be able to invest our loan paybacks, which will add 10 - 12 more loans for November.
November is also the time for the Alternative Christmas Market. We hope to add new members at that time. If any of you would be willing to sit at our table for the ACM, please contact Wes Smits.
Thanks to everyone who participated in October. Your dedication to microfinance is so important to the success of our organization.
Monday, September 30, 2013
September 2013 Report
Two Years of Kiva Lending
Wellshire Microfinance (WMF) once again added over 40 loans in September. The totals for the month were 41 loans worth $1,025. For the past three months, we've averaged over 40 loans per month. Our cumulative totals for the past two years are 646 loans worth $16,725. During this time, we have averaged 27 loans per month from both loan paybacks and new funds. Our hope is that the past results will continue over the next year.Watching Out for Loan Paybacks
In the past year, our totals have been greatly increased because our members reinvested their loan paybacks. We will continue to grow WMF if we continue to reinvest the loan paybacks.The Alternative Christmas Market
We have always recruited new members at the Alternative Christmas Market. We hope this year will continue that trend. Anyone who can help man our table at this event on Sunday, November 24 would be appreciated.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.
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