Teosinte

While the community of Teosinte has made much progress toward life with dignity, most families still live in abject poverty. Globalization and the structural adjustment programs of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have created worsening poverty and terrible inflation. This affects Teosinte just like it affects other poor communities in El Salvador.

The community has asked us to give scholarships to women, men and youth who choose not to study beyond ninth grade so that they can learn trades. This is an excellent idea, but will cost at least another $15,000 per year. We also see the great need to begin a micro-loan program in which each family would develop a plan for starting a small business and would receive small grants or loans of $100-$200 as start-up money. All families, including the elderly, will have to have some cottage industry that can support them, in order for the community to have a good enough economic base.

Our current operating budget is $28,000.00 per year. To add these new programs will cost another $20,000 per year, bringing the total needed to $48,000 per year. However, at this point in time, we do not have the money to continue our current programs for longer than the end of this year! SO WE DESPARATELY NEED YOUR HELP! The good news is that if we can raise $45,000 per year for four to six more years, the work in Teosinte will be done! The bad news is the money is all still in your pockets!! We are hoping to bring on another 350 donors, each of whom can contribute $10 per month or $100 per year.

ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A RECEIPT WRITTEN THE WAY THE IRS LIKES TO SEE IT FOR YOUR TAXES. MAKE CHECKS OUT TO: WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PARTNERSHIP or WEP.

Many thanks.

Sincerely,
Sylvia Gregory

3515 MILL STREET, EUGENE, OR 97405
Tel: 541-485-34

	History of WEPI Historia de WEPI		Letter from Sylvia
	The Scholarship Program La Programa de Becas		Elderly Assistance
	The Stove Project La Programa de Estufas		Health Support Team