Ketchpel House Party

Our thanks go out to Steve Ketchpel for hosting such a wonderful party! Thanks also to everyone who attended the event.

We all spent the first hour of the evening sipping drinks from the diverse selection that Steve so graciously provided for the event while making introductions and getting to know our fellow guests. Next, we were treated to food from Pasta Pomodoro Catering. We settled down into informal conversation groups as we enjoyed the delicious meal.

Then it was time for the main event. Steve did the honors of introducing Bob Graham to the audience. Bob talked about how he originally became involved with microcredit and why he feels that it is such an important cause to support. Sam Goldman shared with us some of his experiences as a NamasteDirect fellow in Guatemala. Next, we played a video and people were able to see the faces of some of the women who have taken micro loans to improve their businesses and help make their families more economically independent.

After the film, Bob Graham, Sam Goldman, Sunny Mahant and Athena Waid took turns answering the audience's excellent questions. Afterwards Steve got up and finished the presentation by adding his perspective on microcredit and relating some of his experiences with the field. The final treats of the evening were a delicious Tiramisu dessert and more great conversation with the guests.

Steve, we appreciate the opportunity to attend such a great party and spread the word about microcredit. If you would like to contribute to Steve's party here online please click the donate now button and indicate Steve's name in the notes section. Thank you to everyone who chose to support NamasteDirect!!!

First Quarterly NamasteDirect Open House

Thanks to all who attended the first ever NamasteDirect Open House on Thursday, July 26! It was such a roaring success that we have decided to host an Open House each quarter. The Open House was our first opportunity to share the new NamasteDirect office and more importantly, to welcome our new Executive Vice President Sophy Wolters. Sophy traveled here from her home in Panajachel, Guatemala, where she works closely with the borrowers and our partners in both Guatemala and Mexico.

The event featured "The Voice of the Borrowers" which was relayed through live footage from a recent visit and highlighted by Sophy's anecdotes and experiences. She spoke not only of the successes, but of the challenges our borrowers face. Most interesting was the description of the non-formal education the borrowers receive. More often than not, the women provide the majority of the lesson, be it about women's health or profitability.

It was a full house at the office so we are considering hosting future events elsewhere. If you have a venue that would like to host a NamasteDirect Open House in the future, please contact Jennifer Williams.

Elizondo House Party

Many thanks to Maricela Elizondo and David Nagy for hosting a NamasteDirect House Party at their home in San Diego on July 21st. Maricela sent out this note to the party guests, highlighting the party:


Here is a link to an excellent article in today's (7/25/07) San Diego Union Tribune that highlights the wonderful changes that happen in people's lives as a consequence to Namaste & other non-profit organizations that provide microloans to poor indigenous women in Mexico & Guatemala. Please know that our recent fundraiser was a success and raised $2,075.00 so far! Yeah! I appreciate your interest in contributing to this fabulous cause.


If you would like to contribute to Maricela's party, please feel free to send your donation in her care made out to NamasteDirect. If you want to do so with a credit card, you can click here:


Thank you so much for choosing to make the world a better place!

An Evening of Peaceful Discussion

Many thanks to Sami Sunchild for hosting An Evening of Peaceful Discussion at the Red Victorian Peace Cafe in the Haight. Sami is the owner of the Red Victorian Bed & Breakfast and Peace Cafe. It is a haven for world travelers who share the common goal and ideal of making the world a more peaceful place. It was the perfect venue for a discussion about NamasteDirect and ending poverty by helping women in Guatemala and Mexico.

I apologize for the lack of photos from the event, but you can get a glimpse of the welcoming environment at the cafe. Attendees gathered to enjoy a vegetarian meal of homemade lasagna, salad, and dessert of their choice. Three of our NamasteDirect fellows, Wes Selke, Shirin Belur, and Ellen Dobie were onhand to offer their firsthand experiences in Guatemala and Mexico. After dinner, everyone participated in World Conversations inspired by the presentations. You could hear conversations in French, English, and Spanish between guests from Columbia, Bosnia, and the US - it was truly an international evening!

Stout House Party

Guests braved the Central Valley heat to enjoy a relaxing evening at Connie Stout's House Party on Wednesday, June 20th. There was food and drink aplenty as well as great conversation.

The group was inspired by the presentation, beautiful products, and stimulating discussion. 4 people volunteered to host a house party and help spread the word about NamasteDirect. Everyone decided to form a Giving Circle with an initial goal of $5,000. The group felt that by forming a circle, everyone together could make a more substantial contribution. They are still coming up with a name, but check back soon on the webpage for more information! If you would like to join the group, please contact Connie.

Connie's party made a good dent in the group already - they raised $750 on Wednesday! If you would like to contribute to Connie's party and the Giving Circle, please indicate this in the notes section.

Save the Date! Wednesday, July 11

The Red Victorian Peace Cafe and NamasteDirect present
“An Evening of Peaceful Discussion"

Please join us at the Red Victorian Peace Café to learn more about easy ways that you can contribute towards making the world a more peaceful place. NamasteDirect, a San Francisco based non-profit organization, raises money to provide microcredit loans to women in Guatemala and Mexico. After the short presentation, we will split up into small groups to discuss ideas and actions for a Peaceful World.

Where: Red Victorian Peace Café
1665 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
415-864-1978
http://www.redvic.com/

When: Wednesday, July 11. 6pm – 8pm

A selection of prix fix dinners will be available during your discussions for a very reasonable price. You can also indulge in some of the Peace Café’s regular treats and beverages.

Schedule 6:30pm – Welcome & Introduction
of Events: 6:35pm – NamasteDirect Video
6:45pm – Question & Answer
7:00pm – Peaceful Discussion Groups & Dinner

Chesbrough House Party

Many thanks to Katherine, Hank, Emily, and Sarah Chesbrough for hosting a NamasteDirect House Party on Saturday, June 9th. The event featured wine tasting by the Wine Thieves, countless yummy treats prepared by Katherine and Susan Foord Catering. The Chesbrough home seems as if it were designed for parties - everyone gathered in the library, surrounded by a 6,000 volume collection of books, to hear the presentation and watch a short DVD.




What made the party unique was the attendance of several Miramonte High School students.
One of the students will be going on the NamasteDirect Donor Journey to Chiapas and Guatemala this summer. Emily is excited about the trip and plans to speak at her school about the experience when she returns.



The party was also a fundraising success - at $1,955, we're just short of our $2,000 goal. As an added incentive, each $100 donation will receive an autographed copy of a Hank Chesbrough book: Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting from Technology or Open Business Models: How to Thrive in the New Innovative Landscape. It's not too late to participate in the event and contribute to the San Antonio group of women borrowers in Guatemala.