Microfinance Projects Abroad Bring Hope to Impoverished Communities

Press Release • Mar 24, 2014

UK Students Recently Packed Their Suitcases with Knowledge and Compassion in an Effort to Assist Low-Income Communities with Volunteer Driven Microfinance Projects Abroad through CrossContinental.org.

Online, March 24, 2014 (Newswire.com) - For many people living in developing nations, poverty can be both devastating and debilitating. It often extends through generations, creating a cycle of suffering and hopelessness that seems unending. There is, however, a way out. Entering into this previously dismal equation is a new option, one that gives impoverished people an opportunity to take control of their futures and break the chains of destitution.

When education meets motivation, the possibilities for creating change are limitless. Armed with classroom knowledge, some eager interns and volunteers have applied their skills directly and touched the lives of many lower-income families in developing nations. Microfinance projects, applied to those who will benefit from them most, are providing a tangible way to fight the cycle of poverty and increase self-sustainability.

Recently, two microfinance volunteers from the U.K. returned from Nepal after working on a local microfinance project. With the goals of fund raising for a local business co-op, empowering women, and developing sustainable income opportunities, the scope of the project was both large and daunting. However, volunteers Ambika Sachdeva and Fhaheen Khan found the experience to be greatly rewarding, in spite of the challenge. They report their first hand experience abroad in the attached video (http://youtu.be/lL5Hewmb9RI) in addition to the written feedback.

"This has truly been an incredible experience," Ambika says. "The work was really good. Being quite passionate about international development, and being in an environment where sustainable and innovative methods are used to improve local communities within Nepal was great."

Cross-Continental Solutions, the volunteer organization the pair used to plan their trip, is renowned for its carefully planned and detailed excursions. Ambika and Fhaheen were placed in a microfinance project where they were able to assist local project managers in creating policies, fundraising, raising project awareness, writing reports, and training staff. With the help of local coordinators, the trip also provided opportunities for travel around Nepal and experiencing the culture in a very personalized way.

"The whole trip has been very rewarding for me personally," continues Ambika. "... the work was very fulfilling, [and] being able to travel around Nepal and experience the rich culture was very rewarding for me."

The pair spent one month volunteering in the South Asian country, working towards creating a better future for the families living there. They were placed with a host family, and were able to truly experience what it means to live in Nepal. These types of "volunteer vacations" are becoming a very popular way for many to give back to those in need, while encountering other cultures and experiencing a whole new way of life. The results are often life-changing for the volunteers, adding valuable experience to a resume and giving them a fresh perspective on life in general.

"CrossContinental is a truly wonderful organization dedicated towards giving young people a chance to travel and work with very affordable fees," explains Fhaheen. He continues, "... they took great care of us, provided us with a loving family and an excellent work placement which taught us valuable skills for the future."

Access free resources or plan a life-changing trip at http://www.CrossContinental.org.

About Cross-Continental Solutions:

Cross-Continental Solutions provides affordable yet flexible volunteer abroad, intern abroad, cultural immersion, language study, and gap year programs. A large variety of work placement options are available such as: Teaching, Healthcare, Community Development, Business Coaching, HIV work, Care-giving, Orphanage Work, Journalism, Photography, Wildlife, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Microfinance, Tourism, Marketing, and more. Programs are available at many locations around the world, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. By living and working side by side with locals, participants gain an exceptional cross-cultural experience and the opportunity to truly make a difference. For more details, visit CrossContinental.org.