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had the capability to reach people in the community, hold classes, teach skills and show results. These are all the ingredients necessary to build a successful microcredit program.


MicroCredit Enter La Maestra Community Health Centers, an award- winning non-profit in San Diego that provides microcredit loans to low-income women with an entrepreneurial spirit.


whole group less eligible for future loans. If one woman has to miss a meeting, she must send her payment with another group member.


Twelve loans for $55 each were administered the last week of August, officially commencing this innovative partnership


Very simply, microcredit is tiny self- employment business loans made to the world’s poorest people, especially to women. These business loans usually start at $55, and when the first loan has been fully paid, there is an opportunity to borrow more. The borrowers are required to invest the money immediately in an income-generating activity.


Strict qualifications must be met to be admitted to the lending program. Once admitted, regular attendance, punctual payments and inscrutable records are a must.


Groups of five women from the same neighborhood form a group and hold each other accountable for repaying their loans. All members contribute to the group credit rating, which is tainted by late payments, making the


The weekly meetings, which last about an hour, also provide the women a chance to discuss issues, socialize and become friends. They build a community among themselves and share stories about their business ventures, often problem-solving with one another and helping each other through difficulty.


Most women report that the thing they like best about the program is not the money; it’s the friendships and their newfound sense of self-respect. They say things like, “My husband respects me more,” or “My children ask my opinion,” or “I am somebody now.”


The microcredit program gained traction as churches began sponsoring people within the geographic bounds of our diocese. The idea to take La Maestra’s proven microcredit program to Tijuana where it could reach untapped, capable entrepreneurial spirits was a logical next step. Using the facilities and staff of Dorcas House, La Maestra could start a microcredit group in Tijuana.


Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) ERD supports unique local, long-term initiatives that address poverty, hunger, disease, economic development and disaster response. What better organization to head the new microcredit program at Dorcas House?


In August 2010, the Matheses met with a


representative of ERD, the Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Western Mexico, the director and board of Dorcas House, and the director of La Maestra Microcredit Program to discuss the details of the program and hammer out the proposal to ERD for seed money.


“This innovative partnership is the kind of thing Episcopal Relief and Development stands for,” said Karla Avila, representative of ERD. “Long-term, sustainable change begins with programs like this. A tiny loan can represent a life-changing opportunity for women and their families.”


“If we can change just one life, we will have succeeded, but it is my hope that we change an entire community and from there, who knows? Maybe we can change the world.”


Just this summer, ERD awarded the grant for the microcredit program; trainings for the staff of Dorcas House have been underway ever since. The training to run the program is extensive and continues even as the first loans were made.


“The training for the program is still in progress,”


said staff psychologist at Dorcase House, Victor Esparza. “We feel confident that this microcredit program will open new doors for


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Making a Difference Around the World: Left Philip Cowart hands out food in Tanzania. Center A volunteer in Kenya distributes food supplied by St. Alban’s, El Cajon. Right Refugees from Myanmar/Burma receive food from our diocesan Episcopal Refugee Network. Our congregations are engaged in many more global efforts than could fit in this newsletter; all are worthy of recognition and praise.


Homeward Bound Hardisons D


rs. Nan and Gerry Hardison, members of All Souls’, Point Loma, retired over ten


years ago and moved to Kenya in response to God’s call for missionaries. Their work grew as they lived among the people and saw the needs of the community. A hospital with free medical care. A program caring for and nourishing an astonishing number of HIV/AIDS orphans. A seminary for training up new Anglican priests. A nursing school. All these the Hardisons built and directed over the past decade. Supported by many in our diocese, and many throughout the Episcopal Church, the Hardisons have touched countless lives with their work, their passion and their example. Many individuals and groups from our diocese have traveled to Kenya to assist the Hardisons and witness their good work.


This season of ministry in Kenya is now drawing to a close for the Point Loma couple.


“We have been greatly blessed to have been able to serve here and we thank God for the opportunity,” writes Dr. Nan Hardison in a recent email. “We are grateful for the support of the congregations of the Diocese of San Diego, especially our sending parish, All Souls’, Point Loma.”


The Hardisons will continue to raise money and make connections to support the ongoing work in Kenya, even as they move back to San Diego for their second retirement.


Welcome home, Nan and Gerry, and well done, good and faithful servants. X


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those who are dedicated to making a better life.”


Twelve loans for $55 each were administered the last week of August, officially commencing this innovative partnership involving the Diocese of San Diego, La Maestra, ERD and Dorcas House.


“We are cautiously optimistic,” said Bishop Mathes, “about the possibility of real change coming out of our tiny foster home in Tijuana. If we can change just one life, we will have succeeded, but it is my hope that we change an entire community and from there, who knows? Maybe we can change the world.” X


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