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A Conversation with Shyam: How we Maximize our Impact
In our latest “Conversation with Shyam,” the charity’s founder speaks about how we are able to maximize our impact as an organization. Despite being a small, privately-funded organization, SKIC operates in places where the demand for micro-finance loans are high, but the supply is not there. In both Zimbabwe and Lebu, the interest-level in participating…
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Faces of SKImfi: Prudence K.
When Prudence and her SKImfi group members gather for business meetings, they begin each session with a chant: “High high, it lifts you high. SKImfi lifts you UP!” Prudence K., a 30-year-old mother of three, launched an electrical supplies business after attending a Selection, Planning and Management workshop with SKImfi Zimbabwe. She accessed a $100…
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Why Early-Stage Scholarships? (Part 2)
Early-stage scholarships offer tremendous benefits, not only for recipients, but also for their communities. In Part One of this series, we explored the direct benefits for early education scholarship recipients, including reduced criminal activity, fewer teenage pregnancies, and better employment rates. These outcomes create a more sustainable and healthy community environment. By investing in youth, SKIpgo is investing in everyone. “The young ladies of…
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Why Early-Stage Scholarships? (Part 1)
Shyam is often asked why SKIpgo focuses on early childhood education instead of adolescent or college education. SKIpgo focuses on making the largest impact by investing its resources in opportunities that will have the most long-term results possible. By offering early-stage scholarships for girls ages three to five years old, SKIpgo ensures that this investment…
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A Word with SKIC’s Founder
SKIC founder Shyam K. Iyer visiting a site in Myanmar SKI Charities’ founder Shyam K. Iyer discusses the path that brought him to work for women’s empowerment and the impact that this work has made on him. In your own words, what is your role in SKI Charities? My role is to make sure we…
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A Conversation with Shyam: State of the Foundation
2014 marks the beginning of SKI Charities’ fourth year of activity. In this podcast, the charity’s founder, Shyam K. Iyer, reflects upon the past year and articulates his goals for the coming year. Listen in to hear our Re-Cap of 2013 and Preview of 2014!
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A Conversation with Shyam: Health Issues in Chile and Zimbabwe
SKIC’s mission – to bring entrepreneurship, education, and empowerment to women in Lebu, Chile and Mutare, Zimbabwe – is a mission that extends beyond providing loans to SKIC participants so that their businesses can begin to take shape. Our charity also works with women to build the confidence they need to network, act upon their…
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A Word with our SKIpgo Zimbabwe Program Manager
Elizabeth, our program manager for SKIpgo-Zimbabwe, discusses her work with SKI Charities and her passion for child development. In your own words, what is your role in SKI charities? I work for the SKIpgo Zimbabwe Trust, one of the projects run by SKI charities in Mutare, Zimbabwe. I recruit candidates who are eligible for the…
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A Conversation with Shyam: The Election in Chile
A run-off election this upcoming Sunday, December 15th, will determine Chile’s next president. SKI Charities founder, Shyam K. Iyer, sits down to talk with us about the political climate in Chile, and how it affects SKIC beneficiaries in Lebu.
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Less is More: The Benefits of Microfinance
For SKI Charities, keeping things at a micro level is essential to the organization’s success. Charity founder, Shyam K. Iyer asserts, “When you’re doing microfinance at such a local level, it’s not just about these women creating their own wealth and creating their own businesses. What about the spillover effects?” Shyam notes that SKImfi beneficiaries…