Rebuilding Lives

The Levantando Chile Fund was created following the earthquake that devastated Chile on February 27, 2010.

The Fund was established to channel resources to local nonprofit organizations in Chile that are working with those communities that were most affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Ultimately, the Levantando Chile Fund will solely focus on long-term efforts particularly of those organizations working to rebuild lives and livelihoods of affected communities.

Levantando Chile Milestones - Our work continues

The first wave of generosit from donors from around the world is already showing very positive results.

Two of the organizations that are supported by the Levantando Chile Fund were recently awarded

US$ 25, 000 each towards reconstruction efforts of their respective communities.

Weavers from Relmu Witral and artisans working with Trabajo Para un Hermano-Concepción have already resume their work thanks to funds provided to rebuild their workshops and to purchase much-needed tools and supplies.

The awards were presented to Relmu Witral and to Trabajo Para Un Hermano-Concepción at the LAVCA Chile Forum 2010. The forum gathered over 150

regional investors from the private equity industry. The two winners took part in a Social Marketplace during the event showcasing products from the social enterprises of the NESsT Fund Chilean portfolio.

Relmu Witral works with 150 Lafkenche women training them in preserving their ancestral skills as textile weavers and providing them with support in producing and commercializing their handwoven products.

On the other hand, Trabajo Para un Hermano-Concepción provides training and support for microentrepreneurs out of its office in Concepción, and also runs a fair trade store in downtown Concepción, called Manos del Bío Bío, which sells products made by the artisans in its group.

Both organizations still need more support from donors. NESsT will continue to raise funds to ensure both groups are ready to face a harsh winter season in Chile.

"These initial awards represent our long-term commitment to micro-entrepreneurs in the areas most affected by the earthquake.

We hope these social enterprises will not only recover the income they lost due to this tragedy, but will also improve their entrepreneurial capacity and ultimately lead to higher income levels for micro-entrepreneurs, artisans and small agricultural producers most affected by the earthquake," said Nicole Etchart, NESsT's CEO and co-founder.

The Levantando Chile Fund’s ultimate goal is for its beneficiaries to be completely self-sustaining as quickly as possible: living, working and selling their products as they did before the earthquake and tsunami struck.

Relmu Witral

Located in Tirúa, a coastal town located in southern Chile region that was destroyed by the earthquake,Relmu Witral works closely with local indigenous communities of Lafkenche women, training them in preserving their ancestral skills as textile weavers and providing them with support in producing and commercializing their handwoven products.

A member of NESsT's portfolio, Relmu Witral will concentrate on ensuring the Lafkenche women restore their income quickly so they may continue to support their families and rebuild their lives.

NESsT has been working with Relmu Witral since 2007 and the Levantando Chile Fund will provide financial support to Relmu Witral to restore their homes, places of work, and to get access to the materials and markets they need immediately as artisans and micro-entrepreneurs in order to resume their work and sources of income.

Click here to read more about the support Levantando Chile provides to Relmu Witral.

Trabajo Para Un Hermano-Concepción

Trabajo Para Un Hermano-Concepción (TPH) provides training and support for microentrepreneurs out of its office in Concepción, and also runs a fair trade store in downtown Concepción, called Manos del Bío Bío, which sells products made by the artisans in its group.

Through Levantando Chile Fund TPH artisans will receive funds to rebuild and to purchase tools. Other artisans, who have had no income since the earthquake, will receive stipends to purchase supplies. NESsT will also help to find new markets for products outside the affected areas and to build back up Manos del Bío Bío's capacity to attract clients and meet demands.

Click here to read more about the support Levantando Chile provides to TPH-Concepción.

Chile Ayuda a Chile

Levantando Chile also donated US$ 25,000 to Chile Ayuda a Chile at en event in New York with Puro Chile to help raise money for this organization, part of Fundación Teletón, helping build 30,000 emergency homes in the areas most affected by the earthquake.

This is just the beginning!

We still need your support.

There is still much to be done to help the nearly two million people displaced by the devastating earthquake and tsunami to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

Please support the Levantando Chile Fund today.

About NESsT

www.nesst.org