Jun 2008
June 16, 2008
Dear Friends:
Thirty-two years ago today, high school students in Soweto marched peacefully to protest the order to educate them in Afrikaans – a language they did not know. One they perceived to be the language of the “oppressor.” Before they arrived at their destination, South African police opened fire, killing unarmed youngsters. As the death toll soared to more than 600, images of the massacre ricocheted around the world, galvanizing the international community, and changing the face of the country’s freedom struggle forever.
We dedicate this 2007 Annual Report to those children – and also to today’s families struggling to feed their children at a time of rising food prices, to create jobs for them as nearly half job-seeking youth remain unemployed, and to launch a new generation of young black entrepreneurs, working hard to enter industries and access credit previously reserved for whites.
Expectations and stakes are high. South Africa’s future and that of its neighbors — including the political and economic refugees living within its borders — depend on the country’s ability to deliver for this generation. Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest economy must “get it right” in order to make a reality of the hopes for which Soweto’s children marched, and to help galvanize the peaceful and equitable development of the region and the continent.
Shared Interest has benefited more than one million low-income black South Africans. Your generosity counts. Please join us by forwading your financial support to reach the next million South Africans.
Sincerely,
Donna Katzin
Executive Director
2007 Annual Report : on the cover of the report is Nosimphiwe Tafeni makes Xhosa dolls from recylced bottles in Khayelitsha as part of the Masiphihlisane group, which received a loan from Shared Interest beneficiary Kuyasa.
Feb 2008
This year, Shared Interest has 1 million reasons to celebrate.
On March 17, 2008, we ask you to join us in celebrating Shared Interest’s 1 millionth beneficiary. Held at Capitale Ballroom in New York City, this gala contributes 25% of Shared Interest’s operating budget, making it a critical pillar of its ongoing sustainability - and that of the families and communities that depend on its funds. This year’s honorees are Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, Justice Albie Sachs, South African Constitutional Court Justice, and Nadine Hack and Jerry Dunfey, contributors to South Africa’s ongoing work for economic democracy.
Gala tickets can be purchased through NYCharities by clicking here or by contacting Alicia Kingue, Director of External Relations at 646-442-0186 or Alicia@sharedinterest.org.
You can also print the clicking on the invitation below and fax back to Shared Interest at fax# 212-337-8548
8th Annual Gala Invitation (print and fax to 212-337-8548)
Oct 2007
On Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at 6 p.m., Shared Interest and its Board Members and friends from Pittsburgh and Chicago honored Archibishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu during our A Million Ripples Gala. The theme of the evening, From one touch - a million ripples. Friends raising hope in South Africa, inspired and uniquely entertained guest as Archbishop Tutu shared his wisdom on how we can become ripples of hope for South Africa through Shared Interest.
continued…
Aug 2007
Today, South African Women’s Day, we are thrilled to share with you a radio segment that aired last night on Marketplace (http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/08/08/PM200708087.html a leading business and financial radio program, featuring Shared Interest’s innovative model to expand credit and banking to impoverished communities in South Africa. Marketplace is currently broadcast by more than 330 public radio stations nationwide with more than 8 million listeners.
With reporting in the U.S. and South Africa, this radio segment highlights the passionate commitment of the Carlisle investor group to raise resources for Shared Interest and entrepreneurs from the successful Hands-On Fishing project in the Western Cape.
To hear the segment please click on http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/08/08/PM200708087.html.
(Please consult the market place website www.marketplace.org) to find out when the radio program is aired on your local station.) Please also feel free to share this email with at least five other people, so they too will be inspired to build support for economic justice and democracy in South Africa. For more information on Shared Interest and how you can advance this work, please visit Shared Interest us at http://www.sharedinterest.org.
In the article below, we are pleased to spotlight Neo Mogape, Production Manager of Tropical Mushrooms – one of the unsung heroines of South Africa’s small business sector. She is one of the 750,000 women who have benefited from our work since 1994. One of the many who are leading South African women’s daily struggle to sustain their families and communities, and reshape their country’s economy. We invite you to celebrate this day with us – and with them.
continued…
Jul 2007
Helping Close the Capital Gap in Africa: Two Big Investments in African Microfinance
Shared Interest, a non-profit investment fund that guarantees bank loans for South Africa’s poorest communities, in SocialFunds.com, the largest personal finance site devoted to socially responsible investing. Read a recent SocialFunds.com article on how Shared Interest’s recent $1million investment from the United Methodist General Board of Pension and Health Benefits will help thousands of South Africans gain access to capital for small and micro-enterprises, affordable housing and rural community businesses and cooperatives. Click here: http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2332.html
Jul 2007
CONTACT: Shanta Bryant Gyan 646-290-8211; shanta@sbgcommunications.com * www.sharedinterest.org
Largest Faith-based Pension Fund Invests $1 Million for Small and Micro-enterprise Development in South African Low-Income Communities
Investment seeks to alleviate poverty and build wealth in South Africa’s economically marginalized communities
NEW YORK, July 5, 2007 – Shared Interest, a leading New York-based social investment fund, has received a $1 million investment from The United Methodist General Board of Pension and Health Benefits to support small and micro-enterprise development in South Africa’s most impoverished communities, signifying the pension fund’s commitment to invest in economically marginalized communities like those served by their African clergy.
The five-year investment, which is Shared Interest’s largest single investment, is one of the first U.S. pension fund investments in African communities. continued…
Jun 2007
If we do not deal with the issues of youth development in the rural areas, we will not meet the challenge of improving the quality of life of our people. Essop Pahad, the Minister in the Presidency, June 3, 2007
2006 has been a year of breakthroughs for Shared Interest and its partners in South Africa. During those 12 months, as you will see in our annual report, we have more than doubled the number of people we have served during our first 12 years. As of December 31, 2006, Shared Interest’s work had benefited more than 975,000 low-income black South Africans. continued…
RSS Feed