A Lesson in Abundance

Of the 168 days I’ve been working as DHF’s Field Program Manager, Friday was by far the best day of this entire experience. Literacy is one of the pillars of the plus side of microcredit. Currently we have 10 students who religiously attend class once a week in the hope of learning how to sign their name, read short stories, and complete simple addition and subtraction problems. In May of this year, our literacy teacher, Lily Perez, brought to my attention that almost all of our students were having difficulty advancing due to a single problem—poor vision. Being the problem solver that I am, I began to ask around Cajamarca about any vision campaigns, prescription glasses donations, or reduced rate vision tests to get our women help. With no luck, I decided to try one last place. When Maggie visited the project in April of this year she stayed at a beautiful hostal called Los Jazmines. The owners are German and have spent over two decades helping Cajamarquinos receive medical attention and services to improve their health. With my heart heavy, I visited Los Jazmines and shared our situation with the head receptionist, Miss Lucy. About half way through my story, Lucy interrupted me and mentioned that two years ago Los Jazmines had organized a massive vision campaign and box of reading and prescription glasses was leftover. After a few phone calls, Lucy shared the good news… the hostel was donating more than 300 pairs of glasses to our cause! All I wanted were 10 pairs and now I was receiving 3oo! So on Friday we tested our literacy circle students from Tartar Chico for their first pair of glasses. It was an amazing experience to see the women’s reaction as they were finally seeing for the first time in years. This was the first time in my life that I asked for something and in return received so much abundance. This Friday our second literacy circle, which meets in the Hope House, will be tested for their glasses. I’ll be sure to include more pictures.

 ~Des



Week in Review: Butterflies, Tiaras, and Blouses

Hello DHF Family,

It’s Desireé signing back in. This week it’s been business as usual here in the Hope House. Due to high demand and constant requests by our jewelry students to build butterfly earring holders, we finally obtained the materials (thanks to Carmen Pajares who traveled to Lima two weeks ago) and made it happen. With 26 participants, the women we’re all about business. Each uniquely painted and designed their butterfly to reflect their sense of style. And I must say, there was paint everywhere but with a little soap and water, our classroom looked just as lovely as before. Now our jewelry students have beautiful displays that they can use when either selling jewelry or organizing new models that design in the Hope House.

In other news, yesterday’s theme was tiaras. Here in Peru, for birthdays, first communions, quinceañeras, weddings, and other special occasions, women often like to wear fancy up-dos with glitter, flowers, and the works. In 30 minutes our students learned how to make a simple and economical flower tiara that can be sold at S/.30 (approximately $7.00). Instead of renting a tiara, now our women can either make one or gift one to a family member or neighbor in need.

Lastly, today we started a three class module for the month of June in which crochet students will learn how to design a fashion-forward blouse with flowers. We had visitors from our newest bank “Las Hortensias.” They were excited to finally visit the Hope House and meet our crochet instructor, Charo Yupanqui. The students take their classes very seriously and already have offers to buy the blouses they are just now starting to make. I’ll keep you posted once they fiso you can see the final results in two weeks.

~Des

DiscoverHope Proudly Hires New Executive Director: A Letter from Founder Maggie Miller

Dear DiscoverHope Family,

Thank you to your continued support, this spring marked the fifth anniversary of DiscoverHope! We are fortunate to have grown at a pace that has far surpassed our goals and expectations. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am so proud to share with you that an organizational dream has come to fruition. To compliment and encourage the upward movement DiscoverHope has experienced, we are elated to announce that we’ve hired a new rock solid, light-filled, Executive Director— Jennifer Edwards.

The privilege of a lifetime is being who we are. On my list of decisions that have enriched and changed me forever, being the Founder and five-year Executive Director of DiscoverHope is right there at the top. Creating and growing an organization from the still small voice of an idea into where we are today is indeed an Odyssey. The entrepreneurial journey is intoxicating, exciting, intense, tough, lonely, electrifying, uplifting, and an endless list of emotional expressions that span the continuum of being human. In any journey, the fabric of the people woven into that adventure is forever changed. I see clearly that DiscoverHope is the living example of loving transformation that people gift to this world. Every one of you has helped people radiate!

Inevitably, the natural questions of “what now” and “what next” will be asked. There is no juicy gossip in the Austin pipeline on this one. What next for me, as Founder, will be to continue my role with DiscoverHope as an integral part of the Board of Directors. I am truly excited to fulfill this strategic role and will be focusing on our vision, growth, fundraising, and program development. I hope my conviction and faith in this organizational decision being the right one is highlighted by the fact I wrote myself out of my own job.

Just as DiscoverHope was created by listening to the inner vision of the still small voice, once again, after seven years (including two spent living in Peru) of pouring my heart and soul into the fabric of DiscoverHope, I KNOW we are in a very healthy place to allow someone with an incredible set of experiences to take over the operational helm of leadership. Through my own prayer and reflection, it comes down to the fact that sometimes you “gotta get out of the way” to allow fresh perspective and new growth. So many young nonprofits don’t get the chance to experience this next level of growth. I feel ecstatic that DiscoverHope has grown to the place where we can hire an expert Executive leader to continue guiding our team and simply shift over my role onto the Board where my greatest strengths will compliment the organization.

Replacing yourself is an intriguing learning process. As we sorted through resumes (more than 200!)— the one requirement was to find someone who could hold the internal Light of DiscoverHope that is so inherent to our family.

Jennifer Edwards shines with the executive energy we were seeking. Under her guidance, we look forward to growing into a more mature, well rounded nonprofit. Jennifer has spent her career working to help people achieve success and has expertise in fundraising, operational excellence, and strategic planning. She boasts more than 15 years of nonprofit executive experience in Central Texas; most recently as the founding Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Williamson County. Other organizational leadership positions with Helping Hand Home for Children, Paramount Theatre, and United Way Capital Area highlight her ability to lead and strengthen nonprofit fundraising. Jennifer is a special woman and we are very grateful to have her.

You are endlessly special to me and I know that in Jennifer, you will continue receiving the reflection of Love that you deserve. For those of you who have grown accustomed to getting some doses of love and light from me, I’m still here for you! I hope that as Founder/Board Director/Friend I can count on each of you to continue to hold and grow this vision with us through your continued generosity of time, talent, and financial contributions.

Please celebrate this exciting chapter of growth with us knowing that we believe in the decision with every ounce of who we ARE.

I have so much Love for you,
Maggie

Reflections of A DHF Intern

As I write this entry, I reflect back on my time at Discover Hope, and all of the wonderful memories, stories and experience I feel privileged to take home with me to Madison, WI. Throughout my last three months at Discover Hope, I have not only learned non-profit organizations in developing countries, but I have been able to work with the women in the local banks on a variety of tasks. I have attended local village bank meetings, observed data collection meetings on the socio-economic status of women to see if they are eligible for a loan, created and facilitated Business-Oriented English classes, worked with the child care provider in offering child development knowledge, parent communication and child management techniques, attended dozens of Hope House trainings/classes with local women on jewelry, knitting, and cooking, and participated in meetings where women receive their loan and pay back their loan. It truly has been a fantastic learning experience for me. I know when I enter the workforce as a social worker upon my arrival into the States, I will be more culturally competent and socially aware as a professional. I have Discover Hope, Desiree, the many local women and my host family to thank!

I think back to all of the incredible women and children I have met at Discover Hope. I feel very fortunate I have had this inspiring internship to enter into the lives of families, offering support, guidance and a set of ears. As I walk away and enter into a new chapter of my life as a professional social worker, I will remember the knowledge, patience and teaching that Desiree offered me throughout these past three months. I will always admire her determination and dedication in offering these women a different, better life full of opportunity.

From the first day I arrived into Cajamarca, I have been treated like a daughter. With the help of Desiree, I have been living with the most wonderful family I could ask for. My Peruvian family has been an amazing resource and stable home for me during my last three months and I will miss them dearly and always be appreciative for their kindness and generosity. I couldn't have asked for a better family to live with during my time in Cajamarca. Their altruism and constant devotion to me still amazes me every day. I will forever remember in my heart this experience and treasure it always, wherever life takes me.

~Rachel

Introducing the Hope House Wellness Series

Saturday we commenced a new initiative at the Hope House geared towards improving our loan recipients’ self-esteem and overall mental health. We are calling it the Hope House Wellness Series, in which women will have access to group classes that will tackle problems impeding their personal growth and relationships. Subjects are based on what the women request and include: improving self-esteem, depression, anger management, raising adolescent children, improving interpersonal communication, and child discipline.

So on Saturday afternoon, Psychologist Roger Human and Jenny Munoz, elaborated a beautiful presentation on defining self-esteem and the origins of both high and low self-esteem. Twelve loan recipients from village banks located within the city of Cajamarca attended. What impressed me the most was that three participants invited their daughters to attend the talk because they felt it was such an important topic. Roger and Jenny are hard at work finalizing their work plan and budget to make this Wellness Series a reality. Our goal is to eventually offer interested women an opportunity to attend private counseling sessions with a psychologist so they can begin to find solutions to problems that impede their ability to be better individuals, mothers, spouses, friends, daughters, and business women. Thanks to your donor support and contributions, our educational trainings now encompass mental health- a topic that often goes unaddressed in Peru. Next Saturday our village banks from the countryside will be receiving the same talk on self-esteem. I’m looking forward to seeing the turnout. I’ll keep you posted.

~Des

First Annual Mother's Day Event

Even though it’s been five days...I’m still recuperating.  Last Friday was a REALLY special day for the village banking project and for me. On May 6^th we celebrated our First Annual Mother’s Day Event. Mother’s Day is one of the most important holidays celebrated in Peru… I’d even argue that it trumps Easter and Christmas. Because most of our village bank members are mothers and cherish their role as such, it was important that we honor them and provide them with an opportunity to laugh and have some fun.  For over  a month Ahidee ( our project coordinator) and Bertha (our bank promoter) have been hard at work, helping me create invitations, select a location, design decorations, organize indoor/outdoor competitions, select prizes and music, and hundred other things that are required when organizing such an event. Thanks to Bertha we were able to rent an indoor/outdoor recreation center located in the countryside of Otuzco, located 15 minutes from Cajamarca. After tallying the numbers, we had over 110 attendees that day. The best part was witnessing the various village banks participate in our indoor competitions. There was the Egg Run, the Sack Race, the Chicken Dance (yes!), the Yell Competition, and our infamous Balloon Bursting Competition. We ended the day with a healthy dose of soccer and volleyball. Overall, the event was a success. Our loan recipients laughed, played hard, celebrated with their village bank members, and had the opportunity to meet the other village banks for the second time.

As you can imagine word travels fast in Peru. I still don’t know who the culprit is but somebody spilled the beans that my birthday was on Friday. What that meant was besides the Birthday Cake and 12 village banks inviting me to a plate of food for lunch, I had to dance, sing, and hug and kiss everyone (all 110). It was really sweet and hands down, it was one of the most memorable birthdays ever! I’ve included some picture for your enjoyment!

~Des

The Hardest Working Team in Cajamarca



Ahidee providing biz advice to loan recipient
Teresita of VB Azucenas

 Hello DHF Family,

First things first…I AM alive and running a hundred miles per hour. I’ve disappeared for the past three weeks in order to give Maggie ample space to share her “Adventures in Hope and Chocolate” entries with you. This was a blessing since I’d been hard at work revamping our educational training methodology and heading strategic planning meetings with our counterpart, Multicredit. Today’s blog entry is accurately titled. Yesterday the world celebrated International Worker’s Day, which is a big deal in Peru. In true Peruvian fashion, however, I woke up this morning at 6:00 AM ready to work only to find out (after the fact) that today, May 2^nd, was declared a national holiday. So on our day off, our project coordinator, Ahidee, and our village bank promoter, Bertha, decided to join me and put in a full day’s work at the office. I’d like to take full credit for organizing the 46 educational trainings in March and the 27 classes completed in April, but it would be a deception.



Bertha, our village bank promoter (first right), and I congratulating our Computer Basic Class on completing their module.

Bertha and Ahidee are my colleagues, personal therapists, cheerleaders, problem solvers,multitasking Hope House helpers, and so much more.  I’d like to dedicate International Workers’ Day to them and all of the hardworking public servants, who regardless of pay, give 110 percent because they absolutely love their jobs and enjoy making a difference in the lives of others.

~Des