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| It has been quite some time since I last blogged. |
LIFE happens...
A new chapter begins
One of reconnecting to culture....
One of reconnecting to culture....
In the interim some of the activities that have taken place: -
(A) SELF PUBLISHED my second non-fiction book available on the following links: -
Book 1 description A tree needs water to bear fruit: Enterprising women creating reservoirs for poverty alleviation.
Book 2 description bearing fruit: MICROFINANCE Empowering women, families and communities. Also available online: - Amazon and e-book download
Order Form Direct sales option from Viti for Australia and New Zealand.
(B) Board Member for Linkwest Inc. Peak Body for micro and small community organisations across the West Australian State.
(C) Launched my 2nd book in Auckland New Zealand May 2016 with the support of the Auckland Councils - Manukau City Council.
In 1973 I left New Zealand intending to return. That did not happen! Therefore, 4 decades later the choice to launch my 2nd book in NZ in May 2016 was due to circumstances and intuition. When I first arrived, I met Diane and Georgina who reconnected me to culture in a way I had not anticipated. Soon after my niece Kiri Diamond - who attended my book launch - at its conclusion recommended I submit an abstract to a conference being held in N.Z. in November. I thank them sincerely!
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| Niece Kiri Diamond and Viti |
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| Diane Tuari CEO Ngangaru, NZ's leading Social Value Network Organisation and Georgina Papa who provides support for the Office of Kelvin Davis MP. |
STEPPING STONES...
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| Viti - Honorary research across Australasia |
FIRST STONE
In 2003 - 2005 I undertook research for the Centre for Women and Business, University of WA. The scale of this research was made possible by integrating with personal travel across Australasia over an 18 month period.
Interviewing women operating small businesses in rural, regional, remote and provincial areas accumulated in 75 women participating. At the conclusion an academic article was published,. Enterprising Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Australasia was initially presented at the SEAANZ conference in Armidale, N.S.W (Leonie V. Still and Viti Simmons 2005, Vol. 14, Number 1 - 2006) and was the recipient of a best paper award.
SECOND STONE
In 2009 I received a scholarship to attend the 10 month Leadership W.A. Signature Experiential Leadership programme. One of the guest speakers was Kira Kay who spoke on Grass Roots Leadership and her work with Hands with Hands (HwH) a small N.G.O in Nepal.
In the above published article's introduction it refers to the majority of previous research into women's businesses has concentrated on examining Microcredit and the Grameen Banking System. Kira's presentation and the organisations philosophy of, 'Give the net not the fish' was the hook for me.
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| Kira Kay International President HwH |
THIRD STONE
By 2010 I had graduated from the leadership programme - contacted Kira Kay based in Germany and commenced discussions about a visit to their Micocredit projects in Nepal. Kira asked that while I was visiting would I be interested in undertaking research with their Microfinance Cooperative with the assistance of translators. This was undertaken pro bono and viewed this request as a gift!
In 2011, on behalf of HwH and with the guidance of Shila and Ram conducted interviews and attended activities associated with these projects in rural Chitwan District, Nepal to gain an outsiders perspectives. A report was produced for the organisation.
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| Shila and Ramchandra KC translators and employees of HwH in Chitwan Nepal. |
FOURTH STONE
As an Ambassador for HwH within Australia my contribution has evolved into one of raising awareness of the wonderful work undertaken by this organisation and its international network. My first self-published book was a by-product from the above research.
*20% percent of book sales go direct to Hands with Hands projects.*
FIFTH STONE
Further studies were undertaken at the University of Western Australia in 2011 (Post Graduate Certificate in Social Impact) as part of the first cohort. Microcredit and Grameen Bank was central to one of the units of this course of study.
* An informative read for those not familiar with Professor Muhammad Yunus, considered the father of Microcredit. Yunus M with Jolis A, Banker to the poor: the story of the Grameen Bank, Arum Press Ltd 1998.*
SIXTH STONE
I returned to Nepal (2014) and gathered further data from HwH Microfinance Cooperatives and an additional data from HwH Annapurna Self-Sustaining Children's Orphan Home in Pokhara. This research provided the bases for my second self-published book which has other contributors including two local Nepali women. The final chapter has been included as a platform to explore the possibilities in developed world economies - Microcredit success and learnings re-framed.
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| Sarada Basnet Volunteer Manager of Annapurna Children's Home with crops planted on their land which are crucial to their self-sustaining business model. |
SEVENTH STONE
The decision to return to New Zealand to launch my 2nd book was intuitive as so much of this journey has been. Diane and Georgina have reconnected me to culture by inviting me to their symposium hosted by Ngangaru NZ's leading Social Value Network Organisation who hosted a Health Symposium in Pt Chevalier in May 2016 and niece Kiri who was at the launch of my second book recommended that I submit an abstract to the following: -
7th Biennial International Indigenous Research Conference
hosted by Nga Pae o te Maramatanga on the 15-18 November 2016
hosted by Nga Pae o te Maramatanga on the 15-18 November 2016
in Auckland, New Zealand.
*Registrations are open until 31 October 2016.*
*Registrations are open until 31 October 2016.*
EIGHT STONE
I am about to step onto the eight stone with a framework that has emerged as I have walked from one stone to another with the motto, tread carefully and respectfully.
Since the publication of my first book the following question has gathered momentum...
'How to take the microcredit concept that has been successful in developing world contexts and apply it elsewhere.' It is sobering to realise the level of exclusion from financial markets that exist even in developed economies.
My starting point will come from theory in practice qualitative research linked to microfinance cooperatives a decade on in rural villages in Chitwan District, Nepal.
Example 1: Women' economic empowerment sets a path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic empowerment.
Example 2: HwH model for the establishment of microfinance cooperatives and Annapurna Self-Sustaining Orphan Children's Home.
Example 3: Local leadership drives action in community development.
My intent moving forward will be to integrate the learnings from the forthcoming conference around the above framework while in New Zealand which will provide the nucleus
for my future blogging activity.
Look forward to sharing it with you.
Viti
Director Bear Fruit
Social Business
