On February 4, 2009, Shivia Microfinance charity celebrated their launch at the House of Lords with the support of EFG Private Bank. Shivia Microfinance is focussed on reaching out to the poorest of the poor to help them access funds in order to set up micro businesses. The invite only event was attended by some 85 executives and high net worth individuals including a large number of Lords and Ladies who care about giving back at a grass roots level.

Shivia partner, Jayanta Ray came from Kolkata to speak about how local villagers, mostly women are impacted in a positive way by leveraging loans in order to alleviate themselves out of poverty. The women make saris (traditional Indian dress), jewellery, baskets and other items for sale. This week, the team will go to Gujarat to work in the slums with micro businesses. The goal is to incorporate the use of technology so that these businesses can be more efficient, scale and alleviate poverty in a meaningful way.

To learn more about Shivia Microfinance, please visit www.shivia.com and to bid on the online auction for a limited edition BEO Sound System 9000 donated by Bang and Olufsen click on the bottom left of the home page.