Christmas Message From The President

As 2008 winds to its close and the Christmas Season approaches, it is an important time for us at Enterprise Mentors International to express gratitude for blessings received and to reflect on our accomplishments of the year.

I am grateful in every sense for the numerous families, businesses, and individuals who have invested sacred funds and valuable time for this amazing cause. I am energized by the enthusiasm and commitment of so many people. Thank you for reaching out to families across the world who have known the despair of poverty and have now been lifted to self sufficiency with your help.

Mentors has been working on alleviating poverty for 18 years. This year alone we have been able to lift more than 31,000 families from poverty with a hand up and not a hand out. Additionally, we hosted our most successful gala ever in November and celebrated our efforts with many of you, our dearest friends. We have also been working on laying a foundation for future growth this year, which has included the installation of sophisticated management information software in some of our partner organizations. We plan to complete installation of this system in all our partners in the coming year.

Because of some of these efforts we are seeing significant efficiencies in our partners. These economies are spurring new growth and savings. For instance, we have increased repayment of our loans this year to 96-percent. Moreover, many of our partners have experienced impressive growth in the numbers of clients served. Our partner in Manila, Philippines has grown from serving 12,000 clients in January 08 to nearly 20,000 clients in December. This growth will set the stage for us to serve tens of thousands of new clients in the near future.

It is our hope in the years ahead to enter new countries, expand our services to the poor, and to grow exponentially. With your continued support we can do it! Again, for those of you who have contributed this year – thank you! If you have not yet taken an opportunity to contribute, we urge you to do so. It will be the best gift you could give yourself as well as a family less fortunate.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!

In deep gratitude,

Mark L. Petersen
President and CEO

Virgie Guma - A Client Success Story

For many years, 50-year-old Virgie Guma and family grew coconuts, coffee beans and bananas and earned a meager income of $100 per month. They could not afford the simple comforts of home and their children could not attend school. Then, Virgie joined Mentors in Davao and received her first loan of $60.


With the money from her first loan, Virgie planted turnip seeds which grew quickly. She now has 12,000 hills of turnips from which she earns $425 in sales income. They also grow mushrooms, gourds and even eggplants. With these investments, her average monthly income has increased to a minimum of $160 and the family can now live comfortably and were even able to buy a refrigerator. Virgie now prays for an abundant yield for their coconuts and coffee trees to give them substantial income to see their children through college. Joining Mentors Davao has truly lifted Virgie’s burdens and allowed her to become self-sufficient.

Mentors Just Joined Twitter! Do you tweet too?

Mentors is working hard this month to connect to social media. It just joined twitter. If you are on twitter, please add us on and/or tell us how we can better use it since it looks like Twitter has a bit of a learning curve. Happy Holidays!!

From Mentors to You...

From all of us here at Mentor's,

a very sincere THANK YOU for your efforts in

helping lift those in poverty, especially during

the holiday season. There are many things

to be thankful for and you are surely one.



THANK YOU AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Come with Mentors to the Philippines in February!

A Mentors Field Trip is truly an unforgettable experience wherein you can witness microcredit in action.

Our next trip, to the Philippines begins Friday, February 20, 2009 with a return date of Saturday, February 28. Group departure is from Salt Lake City so additional flight plans will need to be made in order to make sure that you are in Salt Lake by that Friday morning. We have an excellent travel agency in Salt Lake City (Christofferson Travel), who can arrange any special travel needs (e.g. mileage usage) and who have discovered excellent travel deals for us.

The approximate cost per person (Double Occupancy), will be $3,150, which will include airfare, hotel, meals and other ground accommodations. We can not give an exact airfare amount due to the cost changing daily (ie. Instant Purchase). However, the cost does not jump drastically within a given time frame. Please note: once airfare has been purchased, the tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-changeable.

Per our travel agent, all airfare and lodging will be purchased simultaneously; therefore a $500 per person deposit is due by Monday, December 8, 2008 as an assurance that you are committed in joining us. Once all deposits are received, Mentors will then purchase the airfare and ground accommodations and will then notify you of the exact cost and balance due.

Please contact Mentors with your credit card number, expiration date, and authorization (from you) to make this deposit and the remaining purchases. We will also need the exact name that is on, or will be on, your passport.

**IMPORTANT** According to our travel agent and Homeland Security, there is a 3-4 month wait for issuance of passports – not 6 weeks like in the past. So, if you do not have a valid passport, you will need to take immediate steps to attain one. Your passport must have your legal name on it. Also, your passport MUST NOT expire sooner than 6 months after your return from this trip. If your passport will expire within 6 months of our return, you will need to renew it as soon as possible or you will not be able to board an aircraft. Or, if you have internet access, go to http://www.americanpassport.com/ for a 24 hour turnaround on your passport. This will cost additional money.

Please call Mentors’ Office Assistant, Jenny Wells, at 1-801-676-7776 with your credit card information. Below is an in-progress itinerary and information concerning the your week:

Friday, February 20, 2008
-Our travel party will meet at the Salt Lake City airport in the afternoon and depart together on a flight to Manila.

Saturday, February 21, 2008
-Jovy Guanzon, our regional manager for our Philippines partner organizations, will meet us on arrival and we will travel by bus to our hotel. Because of the long distance, we will not actually arrive until Saturday morning.

Sunday, February 22, 2008
-Breakfast at the hotel (Holiday Inn)
-Overview of Manila and a visit to the American military cemetery. Church services optional.

Monday, February 23, 2008
-We will spend the day visiting the Mentors Manila office and attending some client meetings (wherein they pledge to receive a loan, a remarkable experience).
-We will then visit a number of clients outside of the immediate Manila area.

Tuesday, February 24, 2008
-More client visits and loan officer training
-Meet in hotel lobby to have dinner with members of Mentors Manila Board of Directors.

Wednesday, February 25, 2008
-Travel to Pagsanjan Falls one of the premier tourist spots of the Philippines. More than 500 tourists from all parts of the world daily visit the town. These tourists are ferried to the enchanting Pagsanjan falls in native bancas paddled by expert boatmen. They all experience a thrilling memory of adventure, seldom surpassed in their lifetime.
-Whole day Pagsanjan Falls Tour (lunch & boatride)
-Travel to Tagaytay City. Tagaytay, located on a ridge 2,250 ft. above sea level, is a leisurely drive to the countryside south of Manila, past small coastal villages and towns; rice fields, tropical fruit orchards and coconut plantations.
-Overnight at Taal Vista Hotel

Thursday, February 26, 2008
-Breakfast at Taal Vista Hotel
-Depart hotel for a Tagaytay Day Tour. From the heights of Tagaytay, enjoy the breathtaking sight of one of the world's strangest wonders-- Taal Volcano, a volcano within a volcano and lake within a lake.
-Overnight at Taal Vista Hotel

Friday, February 27, 2008
-Breakfast at Taal Vista Hotal
-Transfer back to Manila
-Last client visit
-Overnight at Holiday Inn

Saturday, February 28, 2008
-Breakfast at hotel
-Corregidor Tour. Corregidor is an island in the entrance of the Philippines' Manila Bay. During World War II, Corregidor was the site of several battles and its fall to the Japanese forces was instrumental in the subsequent capture of the Philippines and the retreat of the United States in the early stages of the war. Currently, it is an important historic and tourist site.
-Transfer to Airport For Departure back to Salt Lake.
-Arrive in Salt Lake at 11:14 p.m.

If you need to return to the United States prior to Saturday, February 28, special arrangements can be made. We look forward to your participation in this incredible week.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Laura Bush Honored At Mentors Gala

Mentors featured the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a special presentation by First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush at its fourth annual fundraising gala on Friday, November 7. The special event, held at the Grand America Hotel Ballroom in Salt Lake City, was entitled “Celebrating a Legacy of Hope.”

Mentors attacks poverty worldwide by providing microcredit loans, high-quality mentoring, and encouragement to hardworking micro-entrepreneurs, especially women.

Over 1,200 people attended the reception and dinner and Lloyd Newell, the voice of Music and the Spoken Word, was master of ceremonies for the night. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for Mentors partner organizations in the Philippines and Central and South America who work directly with the poor.

“It was the most inspiring event of this nature that I have ever witnessed,” said Mark L. Petersen, president and CEO of Mentors. “The importance of lifting families in poverty with a hand up and not a hand out, coupled with the power and beauty of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir touched the hearts of everyone in attendance.

“Even in difficult economic times, we far exceeded expectations in our fundraising hopes for the evening,” continued Petersen. “Those who attended our gala were so generous, and thousands upon thousands of lives will be blessed through their contributions.”

The night began with a presentation of the Mentors Distinguished Service Award to Marion D. Hanks, a former Mentors board chairman and emeritus general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Hanks brought to the Mentors board a broad and varied background which centered around his love for mankind and Mentors benefitted greatly from Hanks' deep interest in improving the lives of people throughout the world.

“His life-long humanitarian efforts paralleled what Mentors did,’ said friend and past Mentors president, Dick Oscarson who often traveled with Hanks worldwide making others aware of the Mentors mission. Together Hanks and Oscarson presented Mentors Insight meetings in over 30 different locales from Houston, Dallas, and Chicago to many parts of Utah and his influence did not end there. Hanks was also influential in helping develop the Mentors partner organizations in the Philippines and in Latin America.

Senator Orrin Hatch then presented First Lady Laura Bush with the Mentors International Humanitarian Award via video telecast.

“I am honored to receive Mentors’ International Humanitarian Service Award,” said Mrs. Bush. “The mission of Mentors is to alleviate poverty by empowering the less fortunate with tools to improve their lives. My life long commitment to global literacy shares Mentors’ dedication to help underprivileged people in developing countries become self-sufficient.

“Today, because of charities like Mentors,” she continued, “more people are learning about the groundbreaking benefits of micro-credit and more are joining the call to end the causes of global poverty. To accomplish the tremendous task that lies before us, we need the support of those who have been given much… to help those who have great need.” Her complete acceptance speech can be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRlhXs9oDro.

Hatch told audience members how proud he was of Mentors that they could associate their name with a woman whose name has become a symbol of service.

Newell then introduced an informational video on Mentors. This video was followed by a special recognition award given by Mentors’ Chair Mary Ellen Smoot to the Tabernacle Choir, which was accepted by their president, Mac Christensen.

Among the numbers performed by the Choir were, Consider the Lillies, To Dream the Impossible Dream, The Battle Hymn of the Republic and He Shall Feed His Flock, among other songs. The songs were interspersed by Newell’s description of some of the Mentors clients he met while on a Mentors field trip this summer to Guatemala and El Salvador.

“On the trip, I learned that Mentors not only provides microloans but it more importantly gives the impoverished hope. Once the clients have that jumpstart from Mentors, they finally have that glimmer of hope that their lives really can improve,” Newell noted.

The evening closed with comments from Petersen who told the audience of Mentors “Ïmpossible Dream” of growing from serving 30,000 families annually to over one million families annually in the next 5-6 years. “The task that is before us seems almost unreachable, but with your help we can do it,” he said.

Mentors currently functions in Guatemala, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico and the Philippines through seven partner organizations. During its eighteen-year history, it has helped more than 810,000 people and 142,000 families work their way out of poverty.

Each foundation has its own local board of directors and staff and Mentors provides start-up support, training, funding, and loan capital. Many of its loan officers worldwide are returned missionaries from their own countries who not only lift their countrymen from the despair of poverty, but share their good examples and influence wherever they go.

Mentors devotes 100-percent of all its fundraising to the direct benefit of its overseas clients. Its board of directors covers all U.S. administrative costs. The organization’s operating philosophy and policies are based upon the concept that a successful life, business or society can be built only by building individual character.

Ninety-five percent of all loans granted by Mentors are repaid and the funds are self-perpetuated to the benefit of even more clients.

"We are so grateful to Lloyd Newell and the members of the Tabernacle Choir who were generous with their time that evening,” said Petersen. “Performance demands take them away from their families more than 150 days each year—that they would share their time and join us in this amazing cause is truly humbling.”

My Story...

How Microdevelopment Has Helped Me

(Madeline Halanoca’s story as told to Casey Ruiz)

I had been a nurse for many years making very little money but I had always dreamed of becoming an artist. Then I received a loan from Surgir (EMI’s partner organization in Peru) so that I could craft beautiful jewelry.

Every week I purchase large bags of fish scales called “paiche,” a fish found in the jungle rivers near my home. With home-made metal tools I punch various shapes out of these scales. I carefully paint them and then wire the pieces together to make different styles of earrings.

Since I began this profession, I have exported my jewelry to places as far as Bolivia and Brazil plus I sell them to local vendors. Because of Surgir’s loan I make more money than I did as a nurse and am able to employ two of my children to help me pound the scales into shapes. I sometimes even hire other people in the neighborhood to assemble the earrings. I take great pride in my craft.

Surgir has helped so many people with this loan. It has directly allowed me to provide food for my children and it has helped me develop my talents.

Thank you Surgir and EMI!

Sadia's Success

Mindanao, Philippines is locally called the “Land of Promise” due to its mountainous terrain, rich sea life, and the abundance of tropical fruits. Unfortunately, it is also notorious for the protracted wars and conflicts between separatists and the government. Peace-loving people wait helplessly in the hope that they will no longer be caught in between gunfire.

This is the story of Sadia Tumarumpong, a Filipina who was able to lift herself and her family out of this dire situation.

When she was 10, Sadia’s family was driven out of their home. They moved from place to place to find shelter, but as rebel groups attacked, the family had to evacuate numerous times. Then, Sadia married Kazim and they began their own family. They decided to settle in Manila to find better employment and leave the war-torn province.

Urban life in Manila was unkind to the family. Kazim managed to obtain only seasonal work at construction sites so Sadia opened a small convenience store in their house and earned $2 on a good day.

One day, her husband found a PMDF (Mentors’ partner organization in Manila) flyer. Sadia read about the program and her dreams of providing a better future for her family led her to attend a PMDF training session and receive her first loan.

She used her loan to open a halo-halo (a cold snack consisting of mixed fruits served with crushed ice and milk) business. With sound financial discipline and a dream to keep her going, her business steadily survived and improved.

Sadia is currently on her ninth business loan cycle and also operates a dry goods store. Her enterprising spirit has even brought her into the world of real estate. With this income, she was able to buy their home and send her children to college.

“I grew up very, very poor and surrounded by the constant terror of war. It brings tears to my eyes to think of how much has changed,” said Sadia. “My life is completely different now because PMDF took a chance on me. I have developed a sense of social responsibility and leadership. I have removed myself and my family out of poverty and have truly achieved self-reliance.”

From Mentors Client to Mentors Employee

For many years, Oscar Abarca and his wife Veronica, both natives of Nahuizalco, El Salvador, went from door to door selling women’s shoes. They would buy the shoes with their credit card and make the minimum $28 payment each month. The Abarcas realized that it would take years to pay off the card and were frustrated because their business was not succeeding. Then, they heard about Mentors.

Mentors taught them to buy their shoes from a shoemaker, sell their shoes to stores, and create a catalog with pictures of their shoes. Once they made these changes, Mentors gave them their first loan. Soon, they had greatly multiplied their number of clients plus they were able repay Mentors in five months. They also hired three employees whom they paid on commission. Within a year, their monthly income went from $150 to $300.

Oscar was happy with his newfound success but desired to help his friends and neighbors who were similarly struggling to get out of poverty. He convinced Mentors to open a branch in his town and, because of Oscar’s past experience in business and sales, he was hired as its loan officer.

Oscar now has an average of 50 clients a week and adds on 10 new clients each week. Ninety-five percent of his clients repay their loans on time.

“I see in Oscar someone who is not only a good employee but someone who has the innate desire to pull his friends and neighbors out of poverty as well. What an admirable quality,” said Carlos Rivas, executive director of Mentors in El Salvador.

The Abarcas are now able to live comfortably. Veronica has maintained their flourishing shoe business, which sometimes makes as much as $400 per month. So much in their life has changed because of Mentors’ help.

“I love working for Mentors. Carlos Rivas has helped me understand that assisting the impoverished is one of life’s greatest accomplishments. Their successes fuel me and make me very happy,” said Oscar, with a smile on his face.

Mentors Is Now On uPlej

We have recently joined a charity social networking site which enables us to raise funding for Mentors simply by inviting people to join the site. It's called uPlej (pronounced, "You Pledge").

We invite you to join our uPlej network by visiting our profile page at www.uPlej.com/MENTORS and clicking on the little blue link at the top right corner that says, "Join Our Network." You can pick your own favorite charity to support, and if you join OUR uPlej network, one dollar will always go to help support Mentors so long as you are a member of uPlej. It's $4.79 a month and you can quit at any time.

Once you've become a "uPlejer" create a profile page for yourself and start inviting your friends to join your uPlej network. For every person that joins YOUR uPlej network (up to 3 degrees of separation), one dollar will go to support the cause that you are most passionate about.

Online giving increased 42% just last year. It is a way for anyone, both young and old, to make a HUGE difference for charity. A little bit really does go a long way! Be sure to go to www.uPlej.com/MENTORS and start making a difference today.

Mentors Gala To Benefit Impoverished Worldwide

You may now buy tickets to Mentors’ fourth annual fundraising gala on by logging on to our website at http://www.enterprise-mentors.org/. Our special event will be held on Friday, November 7 at the Grand America Hotel ballroom in Salt Lake City and will include a special performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Over 300 Mormon Tabernacle Choir members will sing at the fundraising event and Mack Wilberg, a critically-acclaimed music arranger and the Choir’s conductor, will prepare a unique program for guests. The Choir, long hailed as America’s Choir, has sung for 10 presidents, has won Emmy and Grammy awards, and has sold millions of records.

Lloyd Newell, the voice of the oldest continuous nationwide network radio broadcast in America, Music and the Spoken Word, will be the master of ceremonies at the event and a special humanitarian award will be presented at the gala as well.

“This event began as a simple dream and exploded into a beautiful reality that will benefit the lives of countless individuals. The Choir brings with it a following of millions from diverse backgrounds and their performance can only result in miracles along the way,” said Debi Gilmore, chair of Mentors’ advisory council.

In addition to online registration, you may purchase tickets by calling 1-866-748-9565. Mentors looks forward to seeing you at this singular event!

Friends of Mentors Return From Inspiring Field Trip To Central America

From July 6-12, thirteen friends of Mentors, from ages 13 through 92, traveled to El Salvador and Guatemala to witness microfinance firsthand. Hosted by Mentors’ partner organizations in Guatemala and El Salvador, the field trip participants learned firsthand about urban and rural micro-development by meeting the clients who are working their way out of poverty.

“On the trip, I learned that Mentors not only provides microloans but it more importantly gives the impoverished hope,” said Lloyd Newell, a field trip participant who is also the master of ceremonies at Mentors’ annual fundraising event. “Once the clients have that jumpstart from Mentors, they finally have that glimmer of hope that their lives really can improve,” he continued.

The field trip began in El Salvador where visitors met with Mentors clients including Maria, a prosperous pillowmaker, Jose, a well-off brickmaker and the Deodanes family that now makes piñatas for stores in the United States.

“The piñata family really touched me. I could see the pride in their eyes as they explained how each of them are involved in creating one piñata. The children, the workers and even the dogs are happy. Here is a family literally in the middle of the jungle and yet they are prospering and fulfilling their dreams,” said Shellie Warren, another field trip participant.

The trip continued with a visit to Mentors Guatemala where travelers met with clients including Maria, a weaver with a booming business and Maximo, a successful strawberry farmer (see both stories above).

“What really impressed me about Mentors is its focus on training and education. In addition to business training, Mentors is teaching clients how to become more healthy and sanitary. Their willingness to improve is inspirational and I am so glad I came,” concluded Robert Marx, a 92-year-old field trip participant.

Mentors next field trip is scheduled for February 19-28, 2009 to the Philippines so mark your calendars and let Mentors know as soon as possible if you can attend this unique and unforgettable experience.

Mentors Report From The Summer Interns

This summer, Mentors has employed two interns with accomplished financial backgrounds. Jake is obtaining a bachelor's degree in finance at Westminster College in Salt Lake City while Dale is more than halfway through his MBA program at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Here are their first impressions of their time at Mentors:

My first week interning at Enterprise Mentors International (Mentors) has been quite an enlightening experience. I learned about the microfinance industry while pursuing my MBA at Thunderbird in Arizona but, as usual, application of book knowledge to the real world has proven to be a new learning curve. Fortunately, I have the guidance of Mentors' knowledgeable staff combined with my interest in the industry to assist me in gaining the necessary knowledge to accomplish the projects I have been given this summer.

Mentors staff discussed the needed work done and presented us with prioritized tasks to be completed. I chose to work on as many finance-related projects as I could to further my skills in that area. The largest project was tightening up the financial reporting from partner organizations and creating a meaningful standardized report for the staff here in Draper. This has required that I gain a thorough understanding of the relationship and operations between the home office and all of the partner organizations. My understanding grows more each day. This new knowledge helps me gain a better framework in which to help Mentors in these tasks. I look forward to learning more about microfinance and building a strong relationship with the Mentors staff.

~Dale McIntosh

Since I began my internship here at Mentors I have learned more about microfinance than I thought was possible. It has been enlightening to see how this industry, and Mentors in particular, can be such a positive influence so many people’s lives around the world. I have also gained a great appreciation for the amount of work it takes to keep an organization like Mentors up and running. In the short week that I have been here, I have been given many opportunities to help out.

One of my projects involves updating the information about Mentors on a website called Mix Market. This website ranks different microfinance institutions on a number of variables such as how current the information is. Keeping this information up to date is a key part of getting a "good score" on Mix Market.

I have also been given a chance to be a part of creating and analyzing some of the financial models they use here at Mentors. Being able to participate in this process has really helped me gain some valuable insight into the financial world. During my first week I have also had a chance to get to know the staff a bit and they are all great people. They have been incredibly helpful and patient with me as I have been learning how things work and I look forward to working with them during the rest of my internship.

~Jake Mendenhall

Youth Committee Omniture Event

On April 6, 2008, Mentors Youth Committee Volunteers gathered at the BYU Stadium to represent Mentors at the Omniture Rock-Paper-Scissors Event. Over $4,000 were raised for Mentors.

Thousands of BYU students attended this event which gave Mentors a lot of exposure.

All of the Mentors Executive Directors worldwide were at this event as well and were presented to the crowd before the game began.

Mentors Field Trip

Join Mentors for an adventure in the field

and meet the clients whose lives you can help change

Next Field Trip Date: July 6 - July 12, 2008

A Mentors Field Trip- A Life-changing Experience

You will be able to interact with clients and witness firsthand the power of a microcredit loan and the impact it has on families. Our clients are hard workerscommitted to giving their children a better future. Don’t miss this unforgettable opportunity as we visit our partners worldwide!

Meet the Clients

Field trip participants personally visit with Mentors clients as they labor in their shops, fields and homes. You’ll learn about their families, their struggles, and their dreams.

Meet The Local Staff

Each Mentors partner organization has an executive director who leads his or her team of local administrative staff and loan officers.

Organized Travel and Accommodations

Field trip groups usually number around 20 per trip. All amenities, including lodging, food and transportation are planned far in advance in order to assure a safe, comfortable, and structured stay. Optional side trips to tourist destinations, such as the ruins of Tikal in Guatemala or Machu Picchu in Peru, are also included.

FAQ

What is the typical field trip itinerary?

A field trip typically begins with a weekend departure out of Salt Lake City with a return flight the following weekend. We spend 2 to 2 ½ days with each Mentors partner organization we visit, meeting with local leadership and their clients. This will be interspersed with some history and sightseeing of the area. On the last day or two, the itinerary usually includes a visit to a featured tourist destination.

What is the Cost?

The anticipated cost starts at $2500 per participant, depending on the destination countries (based on double occupancy and departure from Salt Lake City). This cost covers airfare, transfers, hotels, entrance fees, breakfasts and lunches.

When is Mentors' Next Trip?

Currently, we offer trips twice a year. For more information or to request an informational package on EMI, please email us at mailbox@enterprise-mentors.org or call 801-676-7776.

Join us for A Week to Remember!

2008 Gala Event

Many more details to come.