By Ann Marie Jackson
Mano Amiga is a wonderful organization that changes lives in San Miguel de Allende by providing interest-free microloans, business training, and mentoring to local women who lack access to affordable credit, enabling them to build successful small businesses.
On April 29, Mano Amiga will welcome guests to a gala evening at Casa Proserpina, a spectacular home in the heart of San Miguel de Allende. Tickets are on sale now at www.manoamigasma.org. Guests will enjoy live music by Liah Alonso y los Hilos as well as the music of DJ Marta, delicious food provided by RubyJoy, and an auction featuring some tantalizing items. Among them are a week’s stay at a resort in Oaxaca, a cocktail party for 30 people catered by Zumo, a gorgeous cape from Recreo, a gourmet lunch for 10 people provided by the Hacienda Cañada de la Virgen with a stunning pyramid view, a night’s stay at El Pavo Real, wine tastings at Dos Búhos and Octagono, photo shoots with Mukasha and Javier Blanco, many beautiful works of art including a photograph by Jessica Patterson, stunning jewelry, lamps from Rachel Horn, other high-end interior design items, spa packages from Esencia, dinners at The Restaurant and Chikatana, and much more!
Every peso raised will go toward increasing the number of loans Mano Amiga can offer, expanding Mano Amiga’s training programs, and paying the salary of Mano Amiga’s one paid employee, the amazing Program Coordinator Magda Pérez López. Board members, especially hostess Hadley O’Regan, are underwriting the costs of this event.
Mano Amiga was founded in 2018 by Mexican, American, Cuban, and Swedish women who came together to help women empower themselves, financially and personally, through microlending. With backgrounds in business and international development and experience working with local nonprofit organizations, these women identified a need and created an organization to meet that need.
Mano Amiga’s microloans are typically 15,000 pesos, approximately US$750. Mano Amiga selects applicants with the drive to succeed, thereby improving their families’ prospects and strengthening communities. When a woman receives a Mano Amiga loan, she enters a sisterhood of small businesswomen, and the powerful message she hears is “we believe in you.” And the best part is that after each recipient pays back her loan, that money is then loaned to another woman, and so on, benefitting many future recipients as well.
To learn more about this impactful organization, follow Mano Amiga on Facebook @manoamigasanmiguel and Instagram @manoamigasma. For more information, contact Ann Marie Jackson at 415 100 4364. We hope to see you there!
