Empowering Individuals in the Global Community Through Entrepreneurship
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Adam Repicky, a teacher at Greenbrook Elementary School, wrote me an interesting e-mail about a holiday project the students at his school had undertaken.In the past several years, Repicky has given his classes some unique educational opportunities. His students have written letters to legislators, professional athletes, and enjoyed presentations from real people from all walks of life.
Before to the school's holiday break a couple of Whole Foods Market employees — Christopher Wecks, their marketing team leader, and in-store educator Lyndsey Silva — gave a presentation on the Whole Planet Foundation, a Whole Foods Market nonprofit organization, to Greenbrook and Twin Creeks elementary schools.Whole Planet Foundation helps to empower the poor through microcredit. Microcredit is small loans, usually $150 to $300, requiring no contract or collateral. The loans are offered to the poorest of the poor, with a focus on women, enabling them to finance self-employment projects and generate income.
This system was developed by Nobel Peace Prize co-recipients Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, advisers to Whole Planet Foundation.Founded in 2005, the organization focuses efforts on the developing world communities that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products such as fruit, vegetables, tea, and coffee. Providing the poor in these communities with access to credit gives them an opportunity to lift them out of poverty.
After viewing a video of actual who have received loans and how it benefited their lives, Repicky said the students were excited about making a positive difference for the poor families. Students at both elementary schools began making ornaments to raise money for this program.The ornaments were then sold in the San Ramon Whole Foods store for $5 each. Congratulations to all of the students who participated in this project. What a great opportunity for the children to understand firsthand what it means to give back and help make a difference in someone else's life.
Installation dinner: the Danville area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual installation dinner on Feb. 5. This year's chairman of the board, Chris Edlund of Christe James Fine Jewelry Works, and the new board of directors will be installed at 6:30 p.m. that day at the Blackhawk Museum.Also that night, the 2009 educator of the year, business person of the year, citizen of the year and charitable organization of the year awards will be announced.
The public is encouraged to attend this event. Tickets are $90 and may be ordered by calling the chamber offices at 925-837-4400.
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