Reeta Meriläinen heads Women’s Bank

New chairwoman leads on as Women's Bank steps into its 8th year.

During its first seven years Women’s Bank has been growing and developing with the help of its wonderful volunteers and dedicated staff. They have passed the message on and encouraged Finns to make donations for the improvement of women’s working conditions in developing countries. In this period we have been able to support approximately 15 000 women in their fight against poverty. All the work we do is precious.

On passing over  the duties of the chair I would like to thank you all. You have been a great support. I wish Women’s Bank to remain a community everyone can easily join and work in. The nature of the work should involve task sharing and rotating: team play at its best. We are all united by a mission which never expires. Our dream is and will be: a new chance and a better life for our sisters who live in very difficult conditions.

Ritva Ohmeroluoma

 

Ritva ja Reetta_880px

Women’s Bank is now seven years old. This first grader is eager to learn more, continuously excited. The future looks bright, the world full of possibilities. Especially for those who want to take the chance and are prepared to work for it.

It was delightful to visit the birthplace of Women’s Bank in Liberia and to discover the miracle that was achieved by a wise group of women in 2007. When a Liberian chicken farmer can provide meals twice a day for her family, or a young mother who has been through hard times can still dream, we have reason to rejoice in Women’s Bank. Thank you very much and congratulations to all volunteers – to us!

Women’s Bank is one of the best things that have taken place in the development cooperation during this millennium. Therefore I will take the role of chair at Women’s Bank  with enthusiasm. I have a strong belief that the chain from woman to woman works. In order to avoid cutting that chain we need the enthusiastic people and brilliant ideas, innovation, persistence and joy of acting. Most of all, we need a big heart.

Reetta Meriläinen

 

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