planeterra media centre

TORONTO, May 5, 2010 – It’s a truism that micro-finance loans to women can help improve a family’s quality of life. $50 can help a mother start her own business and change the course of her future.

Planeterra Foundation, a global non-profit dedicated to sustainable community development through travel and voluntourism, suggests making a monetary donation to a micro-credit fund to honor mothers worldwide this Mother’s Day, May 9.  

Richard G. Edwards, Planeterra Foundation’s director, has one micro-credit opportunity front of mind. This is a Planeterra Foundation partner in Honduras that provides loans to women to establish small businesses. In addition to financing micro-enterprises, loans go toward life skills training, health and human rights education. The program offers a way out of poverty because borrowers learn the skills needed to make their businesses successful and pay back their loans. 

One woman says, "For my compañeras and me, this work has been such a great opportunity! Not only have we invested in our businesses, but we've invested in ourselves and our families. We see ourselves as business owners, with skills worth investing in and developing. We feel more confident and independent and know that we can also bring money into our home to support our families and contribute to their wellbeing."

Recently a group of scuba divers who visited the island of Roatan in Honduras wanted to find a way to make a difference through their travels. Led by diver Beth Stann, the group got together to fundraise for women in Roatan and chose Planeterra Foundation as their way to make it happen. 

"As Roatan scuba divers, we wanted to support the courage and strength of Honduran women who are able to envision a brighter economic future for their children which helps these mothers both financially and personally to realize their goals,” said Stann.

Planeterra partners with the Adelante Foundation locally in Honduras to provide micro-finance to women throughout the country. Funding partners cover Planeterra’s administration costs allowing for 100 percent of donations to reach projects such as this one. Through Planeterra’s matching program, individual donations such as the Roatan divers’ are matched by Planeterra Foundation’s founding partner Gap Adventures and donated directly to the Adelante Foundation for maximum impact.

Donations can be made by visiting the Women’s Micro-Credit Project web page and by clicking on the Donate Now button, or by going directly to our secure donation web page at: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/PlaneterraFoundation/OnlineDonation.html and choosing the project from the drop-down menu.

Planeterra Foundation is a global non-profit dedicated to sustainable community development through travel. It was founded in 2003 by Gap Adventures. Planeterra evolved out of a long history of travelers committed to finding ways to give back to the people and places they visit.  For information on Planeterra please visit: http://www.planeterra.org/ or call: 416-260-0999.

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