wonderwebby

In September 2008 I decided to make a difference by volunteering my time with Opportunity International Australia. Between now and June 09 I am committed to using social media to  increase awareness about Opportunity Australia and raise enough funds to create a AU$10,000 Trust Bank, which will help a bunch of poor women in the Philippines break out of the poverty cycle.  You can see an update of the funds raised so far on my Chipin page.

I will share an update with contributors so you can see a photo of the women and see how your generous donation has assisted them. To keep up to date with this project  you can also visit my Women’s Investment blog

And of course, most importantly you can help me on this journey by making a donation. Please let me know if you require a receipt for tax purposes. And please feel free to share any ideas, experiences or feedback.

Background about the funds raised: some slides trying to describe Trust Banks

Thanks to the following people who contributed their time, energy and enthusiasm to collaborative projects for Women’s Opportunity:

Sixteen amazing women generously shared their stories about all kinds of projects -  training women to lead treks in Nepal, rescuing orphans in China, nonprofit projects in Africa and all kinds of good causes – all using the web to help make a difference in their efforts.you can download it for free on Lulu.com

Featured in WorldShapers ‘09 -  Amy Jussel, Amy Sample Ward,Anita Pahor,Annie Le Cavalier,Daphne Nederhorst, Debra Arkanase, Eileen Clegg, Lucky Chhetri, Jyl Johnson Pattee, Karen Muanu, Marigo Raftopolous, Nancy White, Phaedra Boinidiris, Sandy Skees and Stacey Monk

TRIBUTE: Thirteen blog post raising $1300 via Incentive House

1. @badkoala Matthew Johnson It’s all about Opportunity says we can influence opportunities for others “you need to have & recognise the opportunities that are present to you get closer to your goal”
2. @servantofchaos Gavin Heaton A Tribute to a Woman’s Investment shares how just about anyone “can begin to build a portfolio of investments in small businesses that have significant local impacts in communities far from where you live.“
3. @innotecture Matt Moore in his usual quirky style issues a bold challenge for people to invest in this Trust Bank program
4. @deswalsh Des Walsh A Tribute to the Entrepreneurial, Currently Poor Women writes of his desire “to see others with an entrepreneurial spirit supported in achieving their dreams.”
5. @marigo Marigo Raftopolous Investing In Entrepreneurship wrote about the reward of assisting with a women’s shelter in Zimbabwe “My small investment gave these women and their families the dignity, independence and confidence that poverty and abuse had robbed from them. Never underestimate the power we all have to make a difference to the life of others. “
6. KerrieAnn Christian paid tribute by sharing the journey of entrepreneur Sally Bowen
7. @cheekysoul Alena Russel wrote Teach a Girl to Fish “These women have dreams, just like we do. We have ways to help them achieve these dreams that are simpler than you think.”
8. @katherineliew Katherine Liew wrote a tribute to opportunity and entrepreneurs “In economic theory, it’s entrepreneurs that drive the innovation and economic growth. It’s time to invest in them.”
9. From @shaicoggins Shai Coggins wrote A Tribute to Entrepreneurial Poor Women in the Philippines to honour “my late maternal grandmother and my mother – who both were very instrumental in showing me that entrepreneurship and hard work can help you to live better lives. They are both examples of women in the Philippines who managed to escape poverty by going in to business and learning how to save and to invest accordingly.
10. @iggypintado Iggy Pintado Making a Difference to Poverty in the Philippines shared “a first hand view of the need to find ways to aid and support people in a third world country.”
11. @graemebowman Graeme Bowman wrote his first ever blog post Poor in Pocket, Rich in Spirit“With microfinance, training and programs, these poor but passionate people can seize opportunities and break the poverty cycle.“
12. @Socioteque Socioteque in Feeling Guilty? I know I am! makes a great suggestion to “make a pact with yourself to support a few personal causes this year. “
13. From @miscmum Karen How blogging philanthropy is powerful and activism works shared her “interest in developing the skills to harness the potential – I feel – the Internet has to do real and important work for social causes
14. @polkadotbride Ms Polka Dot A charitable tribute “Entrepreneurs have a certain spirit- I have been so lucky to meet so many and to be one myself with Polka Dot Bride. There’s a tenacity, a drive, an imagination and a certain sparkle that comes along with it.”

SHOUT OUT SOCIAL March 2009 community created and organised exhibition.

NextNow, Eileen Clegg, Shahin Shafaei, Marigo Raftopolous, Luke Grange, Debbe Kennedy and Sally K. Green,  Melissa Sader, Sagart, Karen Tipping, Amy Jussel, Bad Koala ,Bernie Michalik, August Boehm, David Armano, ePredator, Bettina Cutler, Jared Woods, Vasundharb, Janelle Amet, David Masters, Rucsb, Siddharth, Sean Lew, David Talamelli, Penni Russon, Gypsychk, Andy Piper, Aaron Julius Kim, Ric Hayman, Amy Palko and Michelle Zamora.

More info on the Facebook Fanpage

A Woman’s Investment. Collaborative group slide project created in Nov ‘08 by women around the world, for this project

Contributors to the slides:
Alison Spencer, IBM Australia
Amy Palko, Less Ordinary, Scotland
Anita Pahor, Women’s Opportunity Director, Australia
Beth Kanter Social Media for NonProfits
Bonnie McEwan Owner, Make Waves: Impact Marketing for Nonprofits USA
Cindy Lenferna de la Motte, Director at Fashion Collaborative, Australia
Danielle Johnston, Business Director, Committee for Melbourne, Australia
Debbe Kennedy, Founder, President, and CEO Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies, USA http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com http://www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
Janette Toral, digitalfilipino.com Australia/Philippines
Joanna Young, Confident Writing, writing coach, Scotland
Kieran Cannistra, Innovation Editor IBM, USA
Linda Griffin Founder ClearWind LLC, USA
Lindy McKeown, eLearning Consultant, Australia
Lynne Wenig,  Scope President (2005 – 2007) Australia
Marigo Raftopoloulos
Michelle Zamora, AP SOA Marketing Leader, IBM, Australia
Nina Simosko, Global Chief Operating Officer, SAP Education USA
Penni Russon, Author, Australia www.pennirusson.com
Phaedra Boinidiris, CEO, WomenGamers.Com USA
Renee Wolforth, Attorney, Washington, USA
Dr Robyn McMaster Sr VP MITA International Brain Based Cente
Sacha Chua, Canada/Philippines
Shai Coggins,Co-Founder & Community Strategist, b5media.com
Silvia Guccione, Director, Pomodoro Italian Cooking School, Australia
Suzanne Male, Publisher, Smink Works Books, Australia
Sacha Chua, Philippines and Canada