2010/2011 Annual Report
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2010/2011 ANNUAL REPORT CREATING OPPORTUNITIES. EMPOWERING WOMEN 61452_Annual_Report.indd 1 12-10-02 07:50 dear friend, Over the course of 2010 and 2011, we continued to make tremendous strides in streamlining, centralizing and strengthening all levels of our organization, a process that has resulted in numerous pivotal achievements. Most importantly, we reached a major milestone having cumulatively disbursed more than US$1 billion dollars in small loans and reached 1.6 million women and 6.4 million children and family members. We made this announcement at our annual “Giving Women Credit” benefit in October of 2011, an event that has both raised our organizational profile, and is a key source of funding to support our work. We honor and thank all of you – the extended community of Pro Mujer supporters, Board members and sta who are all committed to the empowerment of women and the alleviation of poverty. Going forward, we have ambitious growth plans. In late 2011, the Board adopted a three-year strategic plan that will enable us to expand the depth and breadth of our services. Our goal is to double the number of strong and hardworking women we serve by 2014. Specifically, we will: deepen the close relationships we have with our clients and employees; develop new and innovative products and services particularly within our health and financial services; expand our reach across the region, especially within Mexico and Peru; and continue to build capacity and strengthen our corporate structure. The goal of all of these eorts is to provide more women in Latin America – women like Luisa Daniel Pérez, whose inspiring story you will read in the next few pages – with the tools they need to become agents of change. Luisa is a shining example of what is possible when women have access to vital financial, health and human development services that are typically out of their reach, but essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. Your steadfast support has been instrumental in helping us work towards our vision – a world in which all women realize their value and have the opportunities they need to transform their lives and those of their families. We thank you for your support and ask that you continue to join us for the incredible journey that lies ahead. Sincerely, Gail Landis Rosario Pérez Chair, Board of Directors President and Chief Executive Ocer 3 61452_Annual_Report.indd 2 12-10-02 07:50 dear friend, our mission Pro Mujer provides poor women in Latin America with the means to build livelihoods for themselves and futures for their families through microfinance, business training and health care support. Contents Pioneers in Women’s Empowerment in Latin America 05 | Why We Invest in Women06 | Credit Alone Does Not Overcome Poverty 08 | Beyond a Transaction - a Transformational Experience 10 | Meet Luisa Daniel Pérez 12 | More than Just a Job, a Commitment to a Cause 14 | Seeking Input and Counsel, then Rapid Implementation 16 | Global Operational Highlights 17 | Addressing Chronic Disease in Latin America and Beyond 25 | Awards, Recognitions and Highlights 28 | Leadership 30 | Donor List 31 Credits Editorial Team: Josh Cramer-Montes, Ariel Slaton, Cynthia Maloney All photos courtesy of Pro Mujer 3 61452_Annual_Report.indd 3 12-10-02 07:50 The view of La Paz from El Alto. 5 61452_Annual_Report.indd 4 12-10-02 07:50 pioneers in women’s empowerment in latin america Dusty, cold, windswept…a whirlwind Lynne and Carmen’s initial projects impoverished women in Peru (1999), of color and sound meets the eye. helped women develop invaluable Mexico (2001) and finally Argentina An endless throng of people stroll life skills in business, health and (2005). With each entry into a new past countless roadside stands sell- leadership. They also provided a country, Pro Mujer refined and adapted ing everything imaginable under space where women could con - its programs to meet local needs. nect with one another for mutual the altiplano sun. Cars, trucks and As a result of Lynne and Carmen’s vi- support and encouragement. They motorcycles zoom past dilapidated sion, Pro Mujer is today one of Latin soon discovered that these women buildings, their tailpipes churning America’s premiere development desperately needed access to capital out thick, black smoke. and microfinance organizations in order to put theory into practice. for women. Pro Mujer continues to This is El Alto, Bolivia, where Lynne With a small grant from USAID, lead the way with its innovative and Patterson, an American, and Car- Lynne and Carmen added financial men Velasco, a Bolivian, founded services to their health and human holistic services, delivered in a safe Pro Mujer in 1990. The two vision- development methodology. These and supportive social space that ary school teachers first crossed services would become Pro Mujer’s provides women with respite from paths in 1989 in La Paz, Bolivia, the holistic platform for helping women the diculties they face every day. capital of what remains to this day as break the cycle of poverty. Over its more than 20-year his - one of the poorest countries in Latin The microfinance movement was tory, Pro Mujer has disbursed more America. Both women believed that burgeoning at that time. Industry than US$1 billion dollars in small education and easy and convenient leaders told them to forget about loans that averaged $407 at the access to basic human services the health and human development end of 2011. In addition to financial were paramount to helping women components and focus solely on mi- services, such as savings, loans and break the cycle of poverty. Lynne crofinance. The two women did not insurance, Pro Mujer has provided and Carmen saw that these women heed this advice. Instead, they repli- business and empowerment train- were strong and hardworking. They cated their approach in Nicaragua in ing, preventive health education aspired to improve their lives and 1996, established Pro Mujer’s inter- and primary healthcare services to those of their families. They only national headquarters in New York approximately 1.6 million women needed the right opportunities to City in 1997 and continued to enter and their 6.4 million children and do so. new countries in an eort to reach family members. The view of La Paz from El Alto. 5 61452_Annual_Report.indd 5 12-10-02 07:50 why we invest in women Latin America has one of the highest rates of gender inequality and income disparity in the world. Approximately 200 million people—almost one-third of the population—live below the poverty line. Of these, 70% lack access to health services. Almost half of the women over the age of 15 have no income of their own. Traditional gender roles, discrimination become powerful agents of their come grows and savings increase. and violence, a lack of access to own success. For these reasons, approximately 97% capital, education, employment and Empowering women has a multiplier of our clients are women. healthcare are inextricably linked e ect and enormous socioeconom- What is true for families is also true and perpetuate poverty. Such in- equality is exacerbated by major ic ramifications. Studies show that for communities and, in the long run, events such as an economic down- women reinvest 90% of their income for entire countries. Women are truly turn, political instability or sudden in the general well-being of their a worthy investment—when women disaster. Despite these challenges, families. When women unlock their thrive, all of society benefits and suc- we believe that given access to the potential, families become healthier, ceeding generations enjoy a better right opportunities, women can better fed and more educated. In- start in life. 6 7 61452_Annual_Report.indd 6 12-10-02 07:50 7 61452_Annual_Report.indd 7 12-10-02 07:51 credit alone does not overcome poverty Poverty is a complex issue. We believe it requires a range of solutions to help women become agents of change at home and in their communities. Our multidimensional approach provides clients with vital tools and services in three key areas: Financial Services • Small, general and seasonal business loans Each primary loan is tied to an income-generating • Education and housing loans business. To protect clients from taking on too much • Savings accounts debt, Pro Mujer offers clients “step loans.” Each step • Life insurance has an average term of 4 to 6 months and a minimum and maximum amount. Once clients complete their first loan cycle and establish good repayment records, they can advance to the next step for higher loan amounts. Business and Empowerment Training Capacity-building workshops provide clients with the • Empowerment: Domestic violence, communication knowledge to become more economically independent and leadership skills and gender issues are just and informed decision-makers. some of the subjects we address to help clients build • Business Skills, Financial Literacy and Vocational self-esteem and confidence. Training: Clients learn the fundamentals of how to run and grow a business and how to assess and keep track of the competition, so they can make sound financial decisions. 8 9 61452_Annual_Report.indd 8 12-10-02 07:51 High-Quality, Low-Cost Primary Health Care Preventive health education and primary healthcare are of the way. The services we provide, which focus on crucial for our clients. An illness can be detrimental not the five most prevalent conditions affecting women only to their health, but also to their businesses and sav- include: ings. Nutrition and hygiene are just some of the topics • Pre- and post-natal monitoring credit alone discussed in preventive health education workshops. • Family-planning counseling Unaddressed, preventable or treatable health problems • Sexual and reproductive health services reduce client’s incomes and make it more difficult for • Screening for early detection of cervical and them to care for their children.