 | | Whole Foods Market Shoppers Donate Small Change for Big Change | |  | Your generosity during our Annual Prosperity Campaign raised $4 million for microcredit! Our mission is poverty alleviation where Whole Foods Market sources products in 83 countries around the globe. Through worldwide microfinance partners, Whole Planet Foundation has reached over 130,000 microcredit clients in 30 countries with an opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, supporting over 650,000 people. 100% of funds raised during the campaign will enable us to reach 100,000 more people. Thank you! | | Microcredit Client Claudine of One Acre Fund in Rwanda | | |  Claudine, a farmer in Jurwe, Rwanda, is a microcredit client of Whole Planet Foundation partner One Acre Fund. She was one of the first farmers to plant last season. Her first season's maize harvest "was the best harvest I've ever seen," she said. She harvested 440 pounds of maize on 1/10 acre of land; her best harvest before that was 110 pounds of maize. She attributed her increase in harvest to the One Acre Fund planting method. This season, she is increasing the amount of land she cultivates with One Acre Fund to 1/4 acre, and she will plant beans as well as maize. Last season, Claudine kept part of her maize harvest at home for her family, and she sold part of it to buy a goat. With her next harvest, she is dreaming of purchasing a cow. "With a cow, I can sell milk and use the money to send my children to university," she said. Claudine has two daughters, Zita, who is eighteen, and Betty, who is fourteen. Zita wants to become a nurse, and Betty wants to become a teacher. "My dream is that they will become great people," Claudine said. Learn about more entrepreneurs. | | Partner Spotlight: One Acre Fund in Rwanda | | | Whole Planet Foundation's Africa and Middle East Field Director Brian Doe first met One Acre Fund last summer while he was researching microfinance institutions in Rwanda who serve the very poor. One Acre Fund makes sure that their farmers receive their seed and fertilizer in time for planting. Field officers train their farmers on how to plant, and they follow up with farmers in the field to make sure they are using the correct technique. Learn more here and to read weekly updates from the field, check out One Acre Fund's blog. | | Whole Planet Foundation Metrics From the Field: 92% Female Clients | | | It's true, a microcredit loan of $206 - our current average loan size in the developing world - can empower an entrepreneur with the opportunity to create or expand a home-based business and lift herself and her family out of poverty. Of the 130,000 clients we support, 92% are women and they invest in improved living conditions, nutrition and education for their children. | | New Microlending Projects: Morocco, Malawi, Tunisia and Colombia | | | In the El Khalaa sub-region of the Souss Massa Draa region in Morocco where, Whole Foods Market sources wild chamomile, Whole Planet Foundation is working with INMAA to reach 1,000 new clients. In Malawi - one of the poorest countries in the world - Whole Foods Market sources Whole Trade Guarantee vegan sugar. By partnering with MicroLoan Foundation, we hope to empower 4,500 new clients in three years. Learn more about Micro Loan Foundation and see where we work. | | Supplier Alliance for Microcredit: An Alliance of Like-Minded Companies Planting Seeds of Prosperity Around the World | | | | | Are you a Supplier Who Wants to Make a Difference? | | |
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| | | | | Whole Planet Foundation Stands Behind Muhammad Yunus "Professor Muhammad Yunus has been a friend and supporter of Whole Planet Foundation since its inception more than five years ago. He was and is the inspiration for starting the Foundation," said John Mackey, Whole Foods Market Co-Founder and Co-CEO. Read more | | | | | | | Where Does the Money Come From? Thanks to your generosity, Whole Planet Foundation has authorized over $16M for microlending projects and already disbursed over $10M through worldwide microfinance partners. Where does the money come from? Whole Foods Market shoppers ($9.9M), Whole Foods Market ($7M), team members ($2M) and suppliers ($1.6M). Together we can change the world. | | | | | | | Your Whole Dollar There are 3.8 billion people living on less than $2 a day. You can help. When you donate to Whole Planet Foundation you can give with confidence that 100% of your donation goes to microlending programs in the field because Whole Foods Market covers 100% of Whole Planet Foundation operating costs. Your dollar or pound sterling is repaid and reloaned again and again in rural communities. Donate now | | | | | | | Whole Foods Market Team Members To Volunteer in Guatemala, India, Kenya and Peru 60 team members have been selected company-wide from the US, UK and Canada to build carbon-efficient stoves, teach literacy skills, green a village, and build a playground for an orphanage. Learn more. | | | | | | | Facebook Like us on Facebook, and our friends too. Emergen-C will donate $0.20 per "Like" on their Facebook page (up to $25,000) to a charity of your choosing including Whole Planet Foundation. Let's help make these "Likes" add up to a big check to lend the world a hand! | | | | | | | Twitter Follow us on Twitter and share the latest WPF news with your friends and family. | | | | | | | Whole Foods Market Newsletters Sign up to receive great recipes, specials, store event information, fun deals and new product updates from WFM. | |
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