College is First to Help in Micro-lending Program
In the shadow of the worst shooting in US history, many experts are highlighting the violence that dominates many college campuses. But some college campuses are showing the other side of the coin as they strive for community involvement and assistance.
At the University of North Texas, students, faculty and staff have joined together to participate in a special program called Recycle to Eradicate Poverty. With this program, boxes have been placed around the campus to collect recyclable old ink cartridges and cell phones.
You might be thinking: So what? That’s just another recycling program. The unique part about Recycle to Eradicate Poverty is that all of the proceeds earned from these recycled items goes to The Chiapas Project, which receives $1 for every used inkjet cartridge and up to $300 for every used cell phone they collect. The Chiapas Project aims to eradicate poverty in Latin America by providing small loans to poor women who are interested in starting their own small businesses. With these loans, many of these entrepreneurs produce goods, such as handicrafts, to sell at market. As a result of The Chiapas Project, these women gain economic independence, the economy is stimulated and strengthened in these areas in Latin America. So far, The Chiapas Project has expanded businesses in Haiti, El Salvador and other Latin American countries.
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