Friendship Bridge Bloomington Circle will be hosting a Dinner Tuesday, September 24 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at FARMbloomington. The event will include a marketplace with handmade items made from Friendship Bridge clients Artisan Market Access Program.
The cost of the dinner is $20.00 and half the proceeds will be donated by FARM to Friendship Bridge. Reservations can be made at [email protected].
Friendship Bridge is a nonprofit that serves over 28,000 women in Guatemala with microfinance, education, and health services. Its programs, such as the Artisan Market Access Program, have proven to be an effective solution to poverty alleviation .
Brandi Mason, Friendship Bridge’s Vice President of Global Communications & Partnerships, will be sharing more about the organization’s work in Guatemala.
Guatemala has a population of approximately 17 million people. In 2018, more than 815,000 Guatemalans, equivalent to almost 5% of Guatemala’s population, emigrated to the United States. Inadequate public programs, a corrupt government, rising crime levels, and drastic climate change resulted in natural disasters and hunger, all driving forces for the massive surge of Guatemalans choosing to leave.
Friendship Bridge, which specializes in rural women’s empowerment, has unparalleled success in poverty alleviation and provides an alternative solution to emigration by helping to provide programs and services that create opportunities for families to build sustainable futures in their own community.
We create lasting change for generations to come. We have proven that our methodology is effective as seen in our clients’ reduction in poverty, increased food security and family savings, more education for their children and increased profits in their businesses.
Isabela, a woman with 9 children and a native of the department (akin to a State) of Huehuetenango, spent a fortune for her two children to cross the US border. One of them succeeded, but the other was detained and deported. “My son was arrested in Texas,” says Isabela with tears, “he was brought in chains and handcuffs back to Guatemala. “
She learned about Friendship Bridge and with the support of the organization, her family was able to recover, set up a business and generate profits that have helped her improve her household, diversify her business and become an empowered woman.
Friendship Bridge can be the solution for Isabela and thousands more. It has invested in the economic, health and social development of women since it started operating in Guatemala over 20 years ago. With a staff of 160, Friendship Bridge provides access to critical capital, monthly education, and preventive health services offered in the indigenous languages spoken among its clients. The nonprofit also offers mentorship in business management, advanced training on the sales of handicrafts to new markets, and agriculture technical training on modern farming techniques and risk mitigation.
Come enjoy learning more at The Friendship Bridge Bloomington Circle dinner Tuesday, September 24 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at FARMbloomington . The event will include a marketplace with handmade items made from Friendship Bridge clients
The cost of the dinner is $20.00 and half the proceeds will be donated by FARM to Friendship Bridge.
Reservations can be made at [email protected].
Cost: 20.00
For more information contact:
Babette Ballinger
(812) 287-7350
[email protected]