SKI Charities

Tag: Podcast

  • 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…

  • A Conversation with Shyam: How We Find Talent

    “Everyone has talent, but not everyone is given the opportunity to take advantage of it,” says SKIC founder, Shyam K. Iyer. Though SKIC chooses participants selectively, beneficiaries end up being role models for their friends, families, and communities at large. Listen in to hear about how important talent is to SKIC, and how the gifted…

  • A Conversation with Shyam: Building Our Network

    After returning from a recent trip to Lebu, Chile, SKIC founder Shyam got to thinking about how it is that we build our cohort of program participants and project managers. Listen in to hear about the people he met and how these connections enable the SKIC team to grow.

  • 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!

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • Microfinance, the Perfect Fit for SKI Charities

    When Shyam K. Iyer first began SKI Charities three years ago, there was no question that microfinance would be the best method for him to execute his vision. Though the effectiveness of the approach has been speculated, Shyam stands by microfinance as a powerful way to provide people with a sense of autonomy, responsibility and…

  • A Conversation with Shyam: Inspiration Found in Local Mapuche Craft-Making and Cuisine

    Shyam returned from his most recent trip to Lebu, Chile inspired by the crafts, textiles, and food being created by SKImfi microfinance beneficiaries of indigenous Mapuche heritage. SKI Charities aims to give women a path to start and grow sustainable businesses that encourage them to utilize their culturally-embedded skillset. Listen in to hear more about…

  • A Conversation with Shyam: Where We Are and Where We’re Going

    For our fourth SKI Charities podcast, founder Shyam K. Iyer sits down to discuss why he chose to begin the charity in Mutare, Zimbabwe. He goes on to talk about how he chose the second charity site (Lebu, Chile) and what the similarities are between the two. Listen in on the discussion, and hear Shyam’s…

  • A Conversation with Shyam: The Election in Zimbabwe

    In the latest “Conversation with Shyam,” we sat down with the SKI Charities founder to talk about the presidential elections that were recently held in Zimbabwe. Candidates Robert Mugabe (Prime Minister from 1980-87 and President from 1987-Present) and Morgan Tsvangirai (Prime Minister from 2009-Present) currently share power in Zimbabwe’s presidential republic.  The election for presidency resulted…