SAN DIEGO — A nonprofit that started here in San Diego, helping people on the other side of the world, has grown tremendously since its start in 1987.
In fact, Village Enterprise is leading the mission to end poverty in rural Africa, by helping people there start businesses. They're at 87,000 businesses, so far ... and counting.
"Entrepreneurship is a great way to help themselves out of poverty. It can be such a transformative year for these families," Dianne Calvi said, who is the organization's CEO. Their mission is to end extreme poverty for 20 million people in just the next six years.
The nonprofit Village Enterprise started out of a San Diego home. It's now a multi-million dollar organization that's lifted two million people out of extreme poverty in rural Africa by providing business and financial literacy training, mentoring and resources to 300,000 first-time entrepreneurs. There were 13 staff members by 2010, and today, there are more than 500.
"There are 400 million people still living on less than $2.15 a day. Families go from not being able to eat even one meal a day, to three meals a day. By the end of the program, kids are in school, people are feeling hopeful for the future," Calvi said.
Village Enterprise now operates in ten African countries. They target areas with extreme poverty and ask people with a desire and a dream to commit to a year long program.
"What we've found, five years later — incomes have doubled and savings have increased by over 900%," the CEO added.
The market assessment Village Enterprise does, aims to make sure their idea will be successful. Calvi said, for example, "If you're going to start poultry rearing, it's good if there's a place you can sell those chickens."
One of their many success stories is a woman named Solamay. After war broke out, she fled South Sudan with her six kids and is now is now running a successful retail and farming business.
"She was able to purchase two acres, so she now owns land in Uganda," Calvi said.
Village Enterprise is making such an impact and handling its donor dollars so well, it was the only nonprofit, out of 225,000 others just examined by Charity Navigator, to receive a perfect score.
"I couldn't believe it. It feels incredible!" Calvi said.
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