From November 2009 through February 2010, Challenge participants will develop compelling, creative personal fundraising pages on Grameen Foundation’s website, and raise awareness of and funds for Grameen Foundation’s work through personal networks, social media and other offline activities. The participant judged to have the most creative, ingenious web page and outreach effort will win the grand prize of an overseas field visit.

Microloans do change lives and help people achieve success. The Grameen Foundation is a leading organization that facilitates microfinace and technology solutions to people who face the challenges of poverty. Everyday Grameen strives to be innovative and creative in their approach to providing help for those who need it, and to provide tools for those who want to help with Grameen's mission. It's in this spirit that Grameen is running a online fund raising and awareness initiative, the Ingenuity Fund Challenge. In Grameen's own words ;

To help motivate and inspire you to set up a page I am featuring a success story of Grameen Programs. Meet Yibeltal Tadele, Ethiopia who took an 2.5 hour trip by foot to take out his second loan.

To make a living, Yibeltal Tadele farms the hectare of land around his home, which is a difficult job due to weather and soil conditions in Ethiopia. When his ox died over a year ago, Yibeltal could not plow his field. He was in a bind and needed a solution—since farming this land was his only way of supporting his wife and three young children. He ended up borrowing 800 birr ($90) from Amhara Credit and Savings Institution (ACSI). Yibeltal combined this loan with some money he had already saved and purchased a new ox for 1,400 birr ($160). With his new ox, Yibeltal has grown maize for his family to eat and black pepper to sell for profit. He also grows teff—the main ingredient in Ethiopian traditional bread, injira—to feed his family and sell to customers. Yibeltal’s produce sales have yielded enough profit for him to pay off his loan, increase his family’s living standard, purchase fertilizer, and save some money for health emergencies and his oldest daughter’s education.



As you can see, the microfinace concepts works. One people who participates was so motivated he walked 2.5 hours in order to continue his success story. The help the participants seek comes from the donations from initiatives like the Ingenuity Fund. There are many stories like Yibeltals, and I will featuring more of them while the Challenge is active.



Won't you please consider setting up a page and create your own success story in making a difference? By doing so, you will allow Yibeltal and countless others to continue their success story, or make it possible for others to create their own, while you'll created yours. You can start your here.