It is really that simple. We will learn about the harsh reality of life for many women in our world today, take action in response to help this injustice, and celebrate the hope we will be giving to someone. It’s women investing in women, devoted to improving lives!

What to expect at an event:

In a nutshell, we’re about supporting women in extreme poverty by granting micro-loans to fund their plans for creating or expanding a business. At iZōsh Events we connect, learn, give, and celebrate the joy of empowering women. Our event activities emulate those of savings groups attended by many of the loan recipients in their local areas.

Connect – Each Event seems a bit like a party. There’s always coffee and treats while women talk informally as everyone gathers to begin the program. During this time, members participate in first round voting of proposed loan recipients. This first round of voting is called “stone voting” because members receive stones to place in a basket to “vote” for the particular loan recipients the member chooses. It’s fun and it’s one of the perks of becoming a member! If you know in advance that that you want to become a member you can do so before the Event and participate right away in the stone voting. Another perk for members is that in the few days before the event, members may propose loan recipients they would like to see funded.

When it’s time to begin, we sit at round tables of eight and there’s a short ice-breaker question to introduce the women at the table to each other. We range in age from teens to seniors — dressed in everything from jeans to skirts. Come in whatever makes you comfortable.

Learn – Because we are committed to educating ourselves about the challenges faced by women living in extreme poverty around the globe, there is a topic for each event. There is generally a speaker who is known for expertise in some area related to these challenges. This is usually followed by directed discussion at individual tables. Sometimes there’s a short video. As with any group, there are people who are comfortable talking in such a setting and those who prefer to listen — there is no pressure here!

Give – There is a basket passed at each table to collect members’ contributions in provided envelopes. We are modeled after a Savings Group where women in extreme poverty collect their contributions or “dues” and then ultimately fund each other with loans for business enterprises. Our contributions are committed amounts from our members that are paid to fund the loans that will be given during the evening. Membership “dues” are a confidential, self-determined amount. After collection at the table the money is then taken to the treasurers who count and announce the total amount collected. All the money will go towards the funding of the loan recipients chosen in the first round of voting (stone voting) and in the second round of voting (table voting).

The second round voting or “table voting” will occur sometime later in the Event. Each table will select more women to receive micro-loans. Both members and guests may participate during this round of voting. All the money collected goes directly and exclusively to loans and not to any other purpose.

Celebrate! – You will hear the clang of cowbells and the shaking of African gourd rattles, applause and cheers as we often celebrate when a woman’s loan is funded! There is incredible joy in knowing you have helped change the life of a woman by empowering her through a loan. Thousands of dollars come in and go out at each Event and that’s real cause for celebrating.

Come join us. You’ll be glad you did! We look forward to meeting you.