Agree Fred, but you seem almost embarrassed to say we can share money too. Yes, cash.
Patsy and Yvonne made me re-visit articles on micro-finance, a concept that some readers might not be familiar with. By lending small amounts of money (20 USD) to the extremely poor, Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunis (Grameen Bank) was able to break the poverty trap and free some families. Some did extremely well. There have been many, I would argue, valid criticisms of micro-finance. Mainly, interest rates are very high (though the capital is very very small). Considering the above, if we can donate - not lend - 20USD a year, it seems likely we can make a big difference because interest rates wont apply. However, micro-financing is more than just donating. We should adhere to some of the principles adopted by Grameen bank. There are 16 principles which can be adapted to Goa. Donating a mere 20-50 USD a year to such a scheme would ensure small amounts of money (interest-free) went into structured personal development programs, not a tot of fenny. (Not saying the poor are all drunkards, please, though alcohol is a major, major scourge in our village.) Here's a link that might be food for thought. Does microfinance exist in Saligao, Fred? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grameen_Bank [email protected] > From: [email protected] > Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:22:51 +0530 > Subject: Re: [SALIGAONET] The Goa that is fast getting into History ! > To: [email protected] > > On 15 January 2011 06:09, Patricia Nazareth <[email protected]> wrote: > > In this whole discussion, Yvonne's observation that..... > > There is only one solution;those who have should share with those who do not > > is an extremely valid point - idealistic as it may seem. > > I agree strongly with Yvonne and Patsy on this. But what could we share? > > The best is (i) our knowledge -- as Yvonne does in abundant measure, > and so do others -- and our skills (ii) helping to build up > institutions in the village, which give everyone from the area a > leg-up that then takes them to better, sustainable times, jobs, > careers and opportunities. > > We have a number of such examples from the past: Lourdes Convent, > Mater Dei Institution, the church and temples, the sports and youth > club, the Saligao Institute (which has been far more vibrant than it > is now), youth camps, etc. The 'Special Section' that Lourdes Convent > has built up as part of its school, for children with learning > disabilities, is only the latest addition to such ventures. The homes > for the elderly have been there for some time now, and we have > part-time, non-profit medical facilities in the village too -- > supported by some expats. The children's library alongside the Saligao > Institute (open to all at a very small fee, not just members) is an > achievement of both its funders (the family of the late ad guru Frank > Simoes) and the volunteers (Giselle and team) who kept it going for so > many years. > > But in changing times, obviously much more is needed. I dream of: > > * Institutions of higher education > * Career guidance and counselling cell > * Playgrounds (which Sanjeev has already pointed to) > * An institution for school drop outs > * Libraries and reading rooms > * Life-long learning centres. > * A skill-share centre among expats and locals > * Info centre for those interested in jobs, migration, etc > * Short-term training in hobbies and careers (computing, photography, > whatever can be mentored) > * Better links between expat communities and Saligao > * Village-level appropriate technology centre (can we grow more > renumerative crops?) > * Village-based farming technology centre. > * An unofficial, not-for-profit job-exchange for villagers.... > > Of course this is a long list. Unless we get started somewhere we will > be only dreaming! FN > > -- > Saligao-Net is at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe email [email protected] -- Saligao-Net is at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe email [email protected]
