Austin, Texas (Nov. 11, 2014) – Shoppers can make a real difference in the lives of microentrepreneurs around the world by picking up a 2015 Whole Planet Foundation calendar at Whole Foods Market® stores in the U.S. 

Each calendar helps fund microlending projects for poverty alleviation across Latin America, Asia, Africa and the U.S., costs $3.50 and includes more than $35 worth of coupons for natural and organic products. The calendar also features photos of microcredit clients from 13 of the 61 countries where the Whole Planet Foundation alleviates poverty.  

Since 2006, calendar sales have generated  $830,000 for the foundation, empowering more than 4,500 people with loans and the opportunity to start or expand their home-based businesses and the chance to lift themselves out of poverty. The foundation aims to raise an additional $245,000 through 2015 calendar sales.

For more information, visit wholeplanetfoundation.org.  

Calendar cover image: Sujata, a microcredit client of Whole Planet Foundation's India partner, CASHPOR. She has used her microloans to help expand her family chicken farm. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sept. calendar image: Devotha, a microcredit client of Whole Planet Foundtion's Tanzania partner, BRAC. Devotha has used her microloans to purchase bulk beans, tomatoes and small dried fish for her business. 

 

August calendar image: Nabina, a microcredit client of Whole Planet Foundation's Napal partner, Nirdhan Utthan Bank, Ltd. She has used her microloans to open a small shop to sell the agricultural goods her family harvests.

 

March calendar image: Anne, a microcredit client of Whole Planet Foundation's Kenya partner, One Acre Fund. After two years of successful maize harvest, thanks to microlending support, Anne was able to purchase a cow to provide milk for her family and to sell at the local market. 

 

July calendar image: Yamileth, a microcredit client of Whole Planet Foundation's Costa Rica partner, Asociación Costa Rica Grameen. Yamileth has used her microloans to start and expand her pig raising business and to improve her animal welfare practices. 

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