Since its launch, Join My Village has built an incredible global family – in Malawi and around the world.  Our staff is dedicated to providing the best quality programs and opportunities for women and girls in Malawi, and they in turn are fulfilling their potential through hard work, passion and dedication.  Our friends on this site and through Facebook are helping us to release generous funds from General Mills and Merck.  And our donors make the circle complete by contributing funds to expand our impact. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Jim and Marietta Bala, long-time CARE supporters who recently provided a donation to Join My Village that was matched dollar-for-dollar by General Mills and Merck.  The Balas are an amazing couple – Marietta’s love of other cultures has led her to travel extensively (she has been to 115, or more than half, of the world’s countries) and she and Jim are outdoor enthusiasts who love nature.  They became part of the Join My Village family because they believe that a holistic approach is key to creating lasting change for women and girls around the globe.

“Malawi is one of the poorest nations in the world, and by providing a hand up and not a hand out, the people of Malawi can change this,” says Marietta. “We have seen the change first-hand in our travels and support of CARE’s programs.  Through Join My Village, women and girls are increasing their knowledge and self-esteem and are making that change themselves.”

“Empowering women has a transforming effect,” observes Jim.  “We feel Join My Village is very well-conceived in giving impoverished women and girls the knowledge and skills to become productive citizens and contribute to their societies.”

Sponsorship of Join My Village by General Mills and Merck was also critical to the Balas’ decision. “With only our donation, not even one school could have been built. But with the matching funds, we can achieve double the impact,” says Marietta.

With help from individual donors like the Balas, Join My Village and CARE are able to have a greater collective impact on women and girls in Malawi.  During this month of abundance, you can join the Balas in helping to provide more opportunities through your generous contributions to Join My Village, which will be tripled by General Mills and Merck, making your $10 worth $30. On behalf of all of us working around the world, thank you to all of our supporters for your passionate dedication to our work and for being a part of the Join My Village Family!

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* During the month of June 2011, General Mills and Merck will triple all donations.