Sustenance Group Partner Mango Tree Foundation Expands Relationship with Africa Bags

From Nancy Bauer:

“May 22 I had a chance to meet with Todd and Holly Petitt of Africa Bags at their home in Colorado. www.africabags.org We have been talking with them about a pilot fruit-drying project within the next 9 months. Africa Bags has offered us space in one of their community centers (built by funds from the sale of Africa Bags) as soon as we can get ready.  Super exciting – we have a lot of work to do and a lot of money to raise.

We have asked Africa Bags to create a special, limited edition, Mango Tree bag.  We will be using fabric exclusively for Mango Tree for the bags.  They won’t be one of a kind but they will probably be 1 of 100 kind!  If the project is successful, my idea is to have a limited edition Mango Tree bag created by Africa Bags every year!

On June 13, we partnered with a local Mary Kay representative, Callie Brown, for “Makeovers for Mango Tree Foundation.”  50% of the proceeds from the sale of that evening’s sales were donated to Mango Tree.  We raised around $800!  A great way to raise awareness and to support a local businesswoman.  I love these kinds of collaborations.

We have also moved forward with our support of Vencedoras de Batallas in Bogota.  Right now we are funding capacity building, leadership training, and organizational development working with our wonderful partners at Uniminuto and Fundacion Eudes.  Some of the women are taking English classes as well as computer literacy classes.  Beginning in September, the women of Vencedoras will begin entrepreneur training – the ultimate goal is to become independent businessmen.  One of MTF’s requests is that the entrepreneur training include the creation of a micro-savings initiative within the group.  MTF’s goal – create a savings account that the women can eventually borrow from to start their own businesses.  We believe that a micro-savings opportunity has the potential to strengthen this group, continue their training and development and leaders and, create an environment of savings!  We also believe that this isn’t giving a “hand-out” to women but rather asking them to make a commitment to be the best they can be!”