Finally, we have confirmation that the RI grant MG68023, microcredit loan for Ekwendeni, Malawi, Africa, has been deposited in the Rotary Club of Mzuzu's bank account.  This project has taken nearly 2 and 1/2 years to fund and thousands of hours, but the impact will be even more impressive.  Malawi is an extremely poor country. It has one of the worst income disparities in the world compounded with a high incidence of HIV/AIDS. 55% of the population lives on less than US$1 a day and 85% live in rural areas without access to modern convieniences. Malawi's dire situation has been further amplified by the recent decline in the world markets.  However, this funding in the form of 'micro' business loans will alleviate the situation by increasing the economic opportuniies and educating surrounding villages about commerce and providing hope for a future without suffering. 

Thanks to Donovan DiLorenzo, our own Neil DiLorenzo's son, he envisioned this solution while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer.  He built trust with the villages and forged an alliance with several rotary clubs to help oversee this micro credit program. 

Unfortunately his Peace Corps term ran out before the grant was approved by Rotary International but is planning to make a journey to Malawi in the summer to insure that the program is successful. 

Our very own Christine Hoyt helped draft the grant and has navigated Rotary's diplomatic process to ensure this project recieved matching funds.  Given the state of the economy this has been a monumental task and we thank her for her tireless efforts.

Donovan traveled trecherous roads, spending days to aquire the proper signatures from Rotarian Leaders throughout the region and without the generous support from his family and friends this project may have never come to fruition.

Donnovan truly exemplify's service above self and continues to change our world through his compassionate committment to caring. If you would like to read more about what Rotary is doing around the world through Micro Credit programs visit  http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en_pdf/africa_progress_panel_report08.pdf