Media Contact
Harriet Stephenson, Ph.D. Founder
7341 58th Ave. NE
Seattle WA 98115
harriet@thevillagenet.org
Click here to download Fact Sheet as PDF or click image:
Fact Sheet Highlights:
Mission
To empower women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa through microenterprise, education and healthcare to achieve sustainable solutions for women, their families, and their villages.
Profile
The Village Net began as a pilot project in 2007, and was made possible through an affiliate relationship in Ofankor, Ghana with WomensTrust, a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in New Hampshire. WomensTrust provided fiscal sponsorship, staffing and support until Jan. 2008, when The Village Net received nonprofit status.
Financial Status
Nonprofit (501c3)
Management
- Harriet Stephenson, Ph.D., Co-founder & President
- Kyla Hagedorn, MBA,Director of Development
- Steve Holland, Ph.D., Chair
- See complete team
Our Partners
- Technology Services Corps
- Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
- Institute of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana
- The Valued Girls Program, Ghana
- The Ghanaian Association of Greater Seattle
Who we Serve
The Village Net serves women that are at the bottom of the economic pyramid, living on less than $2 per day. Our programs focus on women that have some level of business activity in the villages of Suswa and Mwaani, Kenya and Ofankor, Ghana. More than 600 women have been directly served.
Core Microloan Program
- borrowers start at $50 level
- loans are paid back weekly in 16 week cycles
- repaid loans and donations create opportunity for
additional borrowers
Special Projects
Valued Girls Project (2008)
provided soccer equipment, scholarships, and computer labs to schools that resulted in girls staying in school (Ghana)
TVN Connects (2011)
With partners, commissioned ICT centeres for two public schools including refurbished laptops and training for students and teachers.
Bridge to Sustainability (2010 )
- students organized events to raise awareness and funding for 20 women in each village
- desire to expand as service learning opportunity in 2011
Pen Pal Program (2008)
kids exchanging “day in the life” stories, learning about each others culture (all 3 villages).
To Stay Informed or Get Involved
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Learn more about becoming a sponsor, volunteer, partner or donor.
Impact
Women in villages report that with increased income they:
- provide extra meals
- send kids to school
- gain more respect
- provide community with needed goods and services
