Local group fighting poverty in Honduras

In the past two years, innovation has been thriving in West Michigan through a new organization called Unión MicroFinanza (UMF). UMF staff has set out on a determined mission to alleviate poverty in 32 villages in the mountains of La Unión, Honduras. They use microfinance to help people in this region help themselves out of poverty.

Tribune Staff

Spring Lake

May 13, 2011

However, this is where the similarities between UMF and traditional microfinance firms end. UMF does not follow the traditional microfinance loan model. In addition, they extend their service through agricultural training, market access and reinvestment — giving their farmers a large amount of ownership, and partnering with key organizations and institutions in the U.S. and Honduras to accomplish their mission.

To recognize their success and to unveil their vision for this coming year, UMF staff is hosting a banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at Lakeshore Lutheran Church in Ferrysburg.

To read more of this story, see today’s print edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.

Online:

www.unionmicrofinanza.org