News and Events

“6Ps and Q” Concepts Spawn Global Program

Beginning with a concept known as “6Ps and the Q,” Interweave’s intial limited pilot efforts have evolved into a worldwide program. The “6Ps” of profitable business (plan, product, process, promotion, price and paperwork) and the “Q” – quality of life for individuals and communities are the foundation of the global Self Reliance Program.

Working through in-country nongovernmental organizations, microfinance institutions, and LDS stakes, the program is now helping thousands plan and act for business, home and community. Elements of the program – including group workshops, powerpoint modules and individual coaching were initially field tested in Africa and Central America during summer and fall 2009. Today the fully-evolved program is thriving with active programs in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Haiti, and Ecuador, and more in store for 2011.

“Association” Social Capital Model Highlighted

At a recent workshop at BYU to consider best alternatives for helping people in need, the power of self reliance associations – a cornerstone of Interweave’s local self reliance efforts – was emphasized. These neighborhood associations advance local leadership, participation, learning and self-determination as the basis for continuing improvement and problem-solving. Noting that associations generate the “social capital” needed to sustain progress after Inteweave leaves, workshop leaders concluded “lasting community change is possible only when those in need gain the capacity to solve their own problems.”

SaintToSaint.org Moves Beyond Pilot Phase

Interweave’s online micro-lending site is live and functioning. Here’s how you can make it work for you. Check out the site. Select a family business that you’d like to help. Make a donation - large or small – and your gift will be used to provide a business loan to the entrepreneur that you select. Track the progress of the loan and see how your selected recipient’s business is doing. As he or she pays down the loan, the proceeds will be used to fund more loans to others. Your gift will keep giving for years to come.

And invite your friends to visit SaintToSaint.org

Haiti Coaches Jumpstart 15 Associations

With an urgency synched to the extreme circumstances they share with their neighbors, earthquake-victims-turned-business-coaches, Ricardo Baptiste, Jean Milien and Gethro Nerosil organized 15 self reliance associations in the hectic final three months of 2010.

In response to overwhelming need in the aftermath of the earthquake, Interweave recruited and trained these three committed local entrepreneurs to become coaches. Since then they have tirelessly translated training materials into French creole, organized and facilitated local associations, trained and mentored hundreds of participants in business 6Ps and personal quality of life instruction, administered micro loans and coordinated efforts with local church and agency representatives.

While participants are the ultimate drivers of their own self reliance, focused, energetic coaches like these three in Haiti are key to Interweave’s success – in Haiti and all around the world.

Interweave, Finca and ProLiteracy Collaborate in Pilot to Reach Tens of Thousands

Interweave is joining global microfinance giant, Finca and the worldwide educational organization ProLiteracy to advance self reliance in exciting new ways. In a pilot effort that currently serves 600 families (and in the coming years could easily reach as many as 50,000), Interweave is working with these partner agencies to enable village banks (local group-lending associations) in the Finca worldwide network to apply Interweave and ProLiteracy materials and training. Through this effort Finca local village banks overcome poverty and related social problems by linking microfinance with social action. This innovative collaboration of Interweave, Finca and ProLiteracy, combines loans, community action, enterprise training and peer coaching. Through this effort, participants throughout Ecuador, El Salvador and (in 2011) Haiti are improving their businesses and organizing to solve pressing local problem (such as crime, garbage, domestic violence, dirty water, illiteracy and public health issues) that hurt their lives and businesses.