La Ceiba to participate in Two Dollar Challenge’s First National Month of Microfinance

Nearly half the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day.  For one week, we are asking you to join them.  During the month of April, students across the country will live on $2 a day to help raise funds and awareness for their microfinance organization of choice.  As you know, microfinance enables individuals to break the cycle of poverty by providing them the opportunity they need.  The Two Dollar Challenge Team invites you to participate in our “Month of Microfinance” this April.  Join a growing movement of campuses in the raising of funds and awareness for microfinance.  The TDC Team is here to assist you in any way. 

WHAT: Two Dollar Challenge’s “Month of Microfinance”

WHY: Raise awareness and funds for your microfinance organization of choice

WHEN: April 1 – April 30, 2011

WHERE: College, university and high school campuses across the country.

OVERVIEW: During the “Month of Microfinance” students at participating college, university, and high school campuses pledge to take on “Challenge Week” – TDC’s experiential learning exercise in which participants live on $2 a day for five days and four nights.  Participants must buy all food, hygiene products, and any other “luxuries” they desire out of their $2 a day income. They also follow other rules designed to simulate the obstacles faced by those in poverty. This event will raise awareness of global poverty and microfinance, as well as funds for their microfinance institution of choice.  

The TDC Team will provide all of the materials campuses need to promote and create “Challenge Week” on campus.  We provide these materials directly from our website. Students at some schools go all out, creating makeshift shelters on the quad to emulate the living conditions of people living in poverty and to call attention to the cause. Others provide lectures on global poverty and sustainable solutions—like microfinance. Some create all-campus fundraising events. Students who complete the week-long challenge experience a visceral understanding of poverty that goes beyond anything they can learn in a classroom.  They will have the opportunity to share their experience with participants on other campuses through MFI Connect’s on-line blogging platform.

After completing “Challenge Week”, students can donate the money they have raised by living on $2 a day toward the loan of a global entrepreneur through their microfinance partner of choice (for example, Opportunity International’s peer-to-peer website optINnow.org). 

Follow this link http://twodollarchallenge.org/challenge-week/ to learn more and gain access to the following resources:

• Challenge Week Rules and Code of Conduct
• Tips for Recruiting Participants, Working with your University, Building Shelters, Getting the Word Out, and Raising Funds
• Sample Press Release, Promotional Flyer, Sponsorship Form, and Fundraising Letter

OBJECTIVE: 25 campuses. $2,000 per campus. $50,000 for microfinance.

BECOME A FAN OF TDC: http://www.facebook.com/twodollarchallenge