About

For many of us in the US, $50 can mean lunch for a week or a new pair of shoes. But for a woman in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), $50 can mean the opportunity to start a small business and provide food, education, and health care for her family. That small loan can change the lives of a family and a community. Join us to talk with women entrepreneurs in the DRC who have become involved with First Step Initiative (FSI), a Minneapolis-based non-profit organization providing micro-loans to help change lives. FSI founder Chingwell Mutombu will describe microfinance efforts “on the ground” in the DRC. We will then talk with entrepreneurs in the DRC via Skype to learn first-hand about the impact of small loans and business opportunities in their lives and dreams. Take this opportunity to hear from our first-year students as they discuss stories from our Congolese colleagues and learn how your actions can make a difference in the world.