Our first micro finance loan was made on Christmas Eve! $350 was given to a family in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia. Thanks to all of you who participated in “New Gifts” this month! Here’s the story.

Mrs. Nan Mary is 44 years old and a grocery seller. Nan Mary has been selling her goods since early 2005 and normally earns US$ 2.50 a day to feed her family. She is married with four children, all four of whom are no longer in school. All four of her children are employed: two are workers in Malaysia and one is a garment worker in Phnom Penh.

As another source of family income, her husband’s business provides a taxi service. Nan Mary is taking out her loan to accumulate more grocery inventory to sell and to repair her old house. Note: Nan Mary’s was not available when the photo was taken, so her husband is pictured instead.

Check it out here.

More to come in 2010. Happy New Year everyone!

8570 Katy Freeway #116, Houston, TX 77024

Our December 18th art and crafts show will help raise a microloan that will be given through Kiva.org. Spread the word.

Art, Holiday Cards, Crafts, Live Music, Food, and Coffee.

ARTISTS
Chandana Paravastu – painter
Morris Molina – painter
Jennifer Dedonato – Colorfly Studios
April Tsui – Atsui Cards
Rebecca Benitez – Painter
T.K. Ahn – cards, painter
Dune Micheli-Patten - painter
Adriana Whitney - Adri’s Art, Folk

DIRECTIONS: Google Map is slightly off.
Westbound I10: Exit Bingle. L on Bingle. R on W Memorial Park. L at guardhouse. R into parking lot.
Eastbound I10: Exit Bingle. R on Memorial Park Drive. L into the parking lot at the end of the street.

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UPDATE: 12/4

Come out for the Preview during the lunch hour, 11AM to 1PM. (more…)

We’re trying something new for November. Come out for a fun night of Western Swing (Two Stepping with Turns)! Doors open at 7:30PM. Instructors from SSQQ Dance Studios will be teaching from 8:00 - 9:30 PM. Admission is $9, $7 if you bring at least 4 canned food items. Donations are going to the Houston Food Bank.

UPDATE 11/25: Photos from Western Swing

For our first Global Cafe we were able to raise money to help purchase uniforms for Walnut Bend Elementary School.  Today we were able to deliver them to Ann Rogers and Beth Caleb.  We wish the school a great start next week as the students arrive!