In this issue: 

• VIEW ERIN KELLY'S TERRIFIC NEW VIDEO OF SUMMER INTERNS IN BUYOBO, UGANDA Click to view video
• WMI KICKS OFF PARTICPATION IN COMBINED FEDERAL GIVING CAMPAIGN - CFC number 40340.
• BOEING AWARDS WMI SECOND GRANT.
• MEET THE WMI AFRICA TEAM.
• 2011 WMI FACT BOOKS DOCUMENT THE LOAN PROGRAM'S ONGOING IMPACT.
• TEACHER'S TEA AND BUN PROGRAM FOR BUYOBO PRIMARY.
• DECREASE IN CORPORATE FUNDING FOR NON-PROFITS


As you read through this Update, please take a few minutes to click on the links to the new media, reasearch data, and information posted on the web site.

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) kicks off in the middle of September - it is the largest workplace-giving program in the country. It solicits donations from nearly 4 million military, postal, and executive branch employees annually in the last quarter of the year. This year WMI became eligible for the CFC and has completed the registration. WMI's CFC number is 40340. 

As you can imagine, there are thousands of non-profits that participate in the campaign and it is difficult for a donor to distinguish among the many worthy causes included in the CFC organization directory. The best way to let federal employees know about the opportunity to donate to WMI during the CFC is through in-house presentations. Federal employees can request that WMI be invited to make a brown bag lunchtime presentation at their agency. This is the most effective way for WMI to present its program to a whole new group of potential supporters.

If you are a federal employee, or have colleagues at federal agencies, please consider inviting WMI to make a presentation about the loan program. We have a great video, power point and hand outs, and a terrific story to tell of how donations through the CFC can have a huge impact on the lives of impoverished women in rural east Africa. The Washington Metropolitan area is the largest giving area during the CFC. Please help us make this year's CFC campaign a huge success for WMI by publicizing our organization, our CFC number, and helping arrange presentations.  

WMI was very pleased to receive a grant from Boeing Corporation in August. Boeing also awarded WMI a grant in 2010. This year's grant of $10,000 was a wonderful validation of Boeing's belief in the efficacy of the WMI loan program. In this era of corporate giving cut-backs (see article below), WMI was especially grateful that Boeing chose to continue its support of WMI's mission and goals. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with Boeing and are confident WMI can continue to demonstrate positive impact results that merit inclusion in the corporation's future philanthropic outreach.

After many long hours of hard work by 10 college interns this summer, and supervision by project directors Montana Stevenson and Ainsley Morris, the 2011 WMI fact books have been finalized and posted on the WMI web site. The fact books document the loan program impact and the results continue to be impressive. They also provide an in-depth profile of the demographic characteristics of WMI borrowers on a village by village basis.   

Generous support from individual donors and interns has renewed the "Teacher's Tea and Bun Program" started by last year's high school interns in Buyobo, Uganda. For the second year in a row, 30 teachers and staff at Buyobo Primary School will receive a cup of hot tea and a bun each day. Ambrose Masolo, acting head teacher, recently sent a thank you to WMI for this program.

 END OF SECOND TERM REPORT 2011 ON TEACHER'S TEA

We have today 12th Aug 2011 closed the school for second term. We convey warm greetings from the administration and the entire staff to you.

Please accept our heartfelt appreciation for all you have done for us towards the Teacher's tea. This is because of the following:

1. Time management. In fact the Teachers have managed to come to school early enough so as to begin teaching on time. They are also having extra lessons taught very early and late after classes.  
2. Performance of pupils have also improved because the Teachers have got that moral and have enough time to have individual help for pupils.
3. Moral of Teachers.  The teacher's moral have also changed towards the teaching because of that motivation.
4. Further more the community have also appreciated how the Teachers are doing at school

Thank you so much. Thank you so much.

May God almight bless you and whaever you do.

I remian yours faithfully,

Amborse Masalo (acting head teacher)                                   

Buyobo Primary School teahers with WMI interns

The business section of the August 31, 2011 edition of the New York Times included a lengthy article on the cut back in philanthropic giving by corporations and foundations.  NY Times Article.

This pull back represents the realities of changing economic conditions in the US. We realize that this is the environment WMI will be operating in for some years to come. We are especially grateful for the ongoing corporate support WMI receives and particularly for the continuing support from individual donors who have made WMI a part of their lives.

The beauty of the WMI program is that no matter what amount of funding we receive, we can change women's lives for years to come as those funds are recycled to new borrowers.  The positive effect of the ongoing support of WMI's many committed contributors will be felt by impoverished Kenyan and Ugandan women year after year after year.  Most of the rural areas where WMI operates have no options or alternatives for poor women to access capital to start businesses. We value all of the efforts made by all of you to ensure that the WMI loan program continues to provide vital finacial services to women in rural east Arfica.