Over 9 Million Households Out of Banking Loop

It’s amazing that about 8% of US households don’t even have a checking or savings account. And in the case of an emergency, someone without credit cards must often turn to triple-digit interest rate payday loan companies! This group of society may want to give consideration to Savings Groups as an alternative to formal banking as is being promoted by the Northern Lights coalition.

To read the full article click here. 

Education for All

Attending school is not enough.
Education quality and learning outcomes
must be addressed in post 2015 framework

 The 2015 deadline for achieving the MDGs is fast approaching. Global development education and finance leaders came together recently to discuss concrete steps to accelerate progress toward ensuring that all children go to school and learn. The MDGs, with their focus on education access, do not put sufficient attention on education quality and learning outcomes, which must be be addressed in the post-2015 development framework. Click here to read more.


The ministerial meeting ended with the premier of “Girls Rising”.(see previous post).  

Educate Girls - Change the World

Richard Robbins' new film, Girl Rising  is a testament to the  strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world. This film is a MUST SEE. For show times in your area click here.

UNDP 2013 Human Development Report

The 2013 Human Development Report,  "The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World", is now available. It identifies more than 40 developing countries that have performed better than expected. China has overtaken Japan as the worlds second biggest economy, India and Brazil are reshaping their economies. Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia and many other developing nations are also becoming leading actors on the world stage.
Click here to download the important information in this new free report.

A New Constitution for Zimbabwe?

Last week-end Zimbabweans voted in a referendum to ratify a new constitution. The new Constitution limits the president to two terms, a crucial provision given that Mr. Mugabe, 89, has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980. But Mr. Mugabe’s previous terms will not count, so he is free to run twice more.
To learn more click here.

Tools for Haiti

Young artisans in Haiti eager to enter the workforce will receive the first tool kits from ASAP's new Tools for Empowerment project. The Salesian Timkatec2 Training Center graduates will each receive a tool kit to enable them to use their newly learned skills whether it is plumbing, carpentry, or electrical.

These hardworking young people will be equipped with the skills needed to help rebuild their devastated country and the tools needed to put those skills into action.  These tool kits are life changing in a country where 80% of the population lives under the poverty line with over 40% unemployment. Haiti will be the focus of this years annual Circle the World With Love campaign.

A Perfect Fit

ASAP's Tools For Empowerment project will support entrepreneurs world-wide.

ASAP is pleased to announce our new partnership with The Salesian Missions. Their mission statement of “Helping others to help themselves”, matches the ASAP philosophy which makes this partnership a perfect fit. Working together, ASAP will support graduates from The Salesians’ Don Bosco Vocational Training Centers throughout the world, providing tool kits for each specific field of study.  Entrepreneurs world-wide will prosper from ASAP's new Tools For Empowerment project.

In the US, ASAP looks forward to offering career and volunteer opportunities that will result in tangible improvement in the lives of families around the world. ASAP will collect new and used donated tools at the Tools For Empowerment Depot, where we will refurbish and package donated tools into kits. ASAP will work to make the project sustainable and green by re-purposing and recycling selected materials to generate income.