June 10 MENA MicroFinance presentation

[Geetha Balvannanathan]

Thanks to a female banker friend, Meena Bakshi, who gathered a crowd of her friends, very positive-minded and socially-driven women (not to forget Meena's husband Yogesh, a well-wisher of the initiative), the first official presentation on MENA MicroFinance for Women was a success.

Alongside the original model, new ideas on the social project of the "take to business" Microfinance model were shared and further organisation channels were formed.

It is truly amazing to see how strong is the spirit of women willing and wishing to help their female counterparts all over the region.

The energy gathered during the event was immense and I hope that all guests left with a feeling of having accomplished something significant during that evening. And this is just the beginning. The ideas are then going to be rolled out together with the first projects identified. To finally not be quite alone on this project carries with it an immense satisfaction for me. If this positive drive is communicated throughout the Dubai community, there is no doubt that we will be able to cover a significant part of the region.

I am so looking forward to involving like-minded women in Abu Dhabi and other regions in this project so that we may develop a sustainable model for the UAE and take it to a global GCC level while working on North Africa and India.

Thanks to all the ladies who attended and contributed with their ideas, enthusiasm and warmth. Ladies, I look forward to having back those commitment forms filled out, please :-)

A special thanks to my ladies behind the scenes, Rona Garibay my PA, my intelligent and resourceful housekeeper Teresa Fletcher (a potential microfinance client in her own right) and my nanny Charlita Yane Camanze, who made the event a seamlessly organised one.