When we put our hearts and talents into a project, wonderful things can happen. According to Jasmin Tragas, “by writing a single sentence for her special Wonderwebby project, we had a chance to change lives, make a difference, and speak out against poverty. “You can change the lives of a group of women in the Philippines,” her invitation promised...and twenty-six women showed up to contribute their insights.
Jasmin’s innovative funding raising idea emerged from her service as a Women’s Opportunity Ambassador. Her invitation to participate described her special project this way:
“The reason I am asking you is because I believe you are a woman with an entrepreneurial spirit. Along the way, you made an investment. It may have been words you spoke, a course you undertook, a gift you gave, a smile, a risk or an adventure. Perhaps another woman made an investment in you.
A small group of women in the Philippines is ready to step out and be part of an entrepreneurial microcredit program with Women's Opportunity. We have much in common, despite being born into different circumstances. And now you have the opportunity of helping 15 to 30 women born into poverty change the quality of their lives forever.”
The GOAL and How You Help...
Jasmin has set a goal of raising AU$10,000 for the non-profit Opportunity International Australia over the next year. The money raised will create a Trust Bank in the Philippines for a group of 15 to 30 women currently living in poverty. This group of women will be supported over a two year cycle by a Loan Officer, including training (e.g. customer service) to develop their own small businesses using microfinance. You can make a difference too! MAKE A DONATION
This exhibit is a tribute to Jasmin Tragas’ ingenuity in developing this idea, engaging women in it, and using her creative skills to make a beautiful slideshow of all the insights that were contributed. The Women’s Gallery at the Global Dialogue Center invited Jasmin to exhibit her slideshow in our wonderful place dedicated to showcasing women’s leadership in all its unique and influential forms.
More about Jasmin Tragas
Jasmin Tragas has creative media experience spanning 17 years along with a passion for community development. She has worked with creative teams; planning, designing and leading delivery of a range of creative solutions. These include print media, digital media, interactive media, video production and eLearning solutions. She is currently working part time as a Managing Consultant with IBM Human Capital Management, Learning Services.
Jasmin initiated and led the Arts Special Interest Group for AIMIA Victoria from 1996 to 1997, helping artists to connect, discover and explore digital media, before returning to study and completing a Graduate Diploma and Masters of Interactive and Creative Media (RMIT Uni). She previously completed a certificate of Media Arts Production Skills in 1992 in South Australia.
She has worked primarily in the roles of Web Producer and Learning Consultant. In 2008, Jasmin was elected as a member of IBM's Technical Experts Council in A/NZ. She is also an ambassador of social media and innovation programs at IBM, explaining the benefits of collaboration and communication using emerging technologies to her peers around the world.
Jasmin has a blog, “Wonderwebby,”and recently contributed a chapter to the book, The Age of Conversation 2, a collaborative project raising funds for Variety Children's Charity. Her work with children also includes volunteering as a respite Foster Carer from 1996 to 1999. Jasmin also recently joined Women's Opportunity (Opportunity International Australia) in the volunteer role of Formal Ambassador, raising money for microfinance projects.
