WIL Power News - Come out to our Pop-up Event!

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WILPower News

A Biweekly Update on WIL and its Partners

November 21, 2022

Join us at Eyes Gallery Pop-up Sale

and Fundraiser

Zagar Mosaic Warehouse

1006 Watkins Street, Philadelphia

Saturday, Dec 10th

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Eyes Gallery is in the process of re-building their business after the devastating Jim's Steaks fire and damage to their store. Julia Zagar, the owner of Eyes Gallery, has been selling Latin American folk art, jewelry and handmade gifts for 50 years. For this event, prices will be reduced 25%-75% below retail for the holiday season which includes a 10% donation to WIL's philanthropy.

Come to the pop-up event, show your support for WIL and shop with friends in a mosaic wonderland. Light refreshments will be served.

Street parking is limited, public transportation or Uber/Lyft recommended.

An optional $5.00 donation is suggested to attend this program.

Thank you for your generosity.

Come with WIL to Puerto Rico!

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL, YOU MUST MAKE YOUR

DEPOSIT BY NOVEMBER 27, 2022

THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSIONS BEYOND NOV 27TH!

The WIL Travel Committee and our travel guide, Alandis Travel,

have prepared an exciting, educational and culturally

immersive trip to Puerto Rico for 8 nights.

February 27th thru March 7th, 2023

Click here to go to our website for more information and to register.

November 29 is #GivingTuesday

Friendship Bridge Loan Recipient

2021 Microfinance Grant Award

In 2021, WIL's Microfinance Committee gave a $5000 grant to long time partner, Friendship Bridge, to support the Tierra Blanca Piol Trust Bank's microloan program. The women benefitting from these microloans live in the town of San Sebastian, located in the department of Huehuetenango in Guatemala. They are part of the indigenous people of the Mam ethnic group speaking the Mam language rather than Spanish. Clients of Tierra Blanca Piol are on average 37 years old and have completed school the equivalent of the third grade. Despite having little formal education, these women manage businesses that support their families.

With the $5000 grant from WIL, the bank was able to provide 9 loans averaging $490 each. Five of the loans were for handicrafts, one was for general sales, two for agriculture and one was for textile production. Interviews with the six clients renewing with the program showed that they were all able to save money now due to business improvements after receiving their loans. They noted improvements in their economic situations, especially in the area of providing food for their families. Although the women would still be classified as poor, one client upgraded her status as going from extremely vulnerable to vulnerable.

Microloans are life savers for women business owners in poor areas who are unable to get conventional bank loans or are subject to predatory lending by unscrupulous loan sharks. WIL's Microfinance Committee vets organizations making these microloans to insure the women are supported but also maintain good business practices and repay the loans given. Once the clients repay the original loans, the funds become available to recirculate as new loans for other business women. Your dollars that are donated to WIL become an important part of this cycle. You give to us - we give to them. Please consider WIL in your giving on Giving Tuesday this November 29th. Your contribution will help a business woman in Guatemala or beyond to grow her business and put food on the table for her family. Does your employer offer a matching gift program? Why not double your kindness?!

Please support WIL with your finances on #Giving Tuesday.

Thank you!

Click here to donate today!

You can also mail a check. Please make payable to WIL and mail to:

WIL of Greater Philadelphia

c/o Snyder Daitz & Co

1617 John F Kennedy Blvd, Suite 720

Philadelphia, PA 19103

WIL Members - Do you have a news item to share? Email your submissions to Renee Brandon. Please submit at least a week before you want articles to appear.

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