Happy shoppers at a previous Mano Amiga event
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by Ann Marie Jackson

The women of Mano Amiga invite you to Threads of Hope, a fun charity fashion event. Offering a unique blend of fashion, philanthropy, and community spirit, this annual event is not to be missed. The centerpiece of the event is a fashion show featuring secondhand fashion and jewelry generously donated by local designers, boutiques, and individuals. These donated items will be showcased on the runway, highlighting the beauty and value of sustainable fashion while also celebrating the diversity and strength of our community. Designer Claudio Bo will donate a one-of-a-kind dress from her spring collection.

The Mano Amiga board of directors and volunteers
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Mano Amiga changes lives in San Miguel by providing interest-free microloans, business training, and mentoring to local women who lack access to affordable credit, enabling them to build successful small businesses.

Mano Amiga's microloans typically range from $10,000-$15,000 pesos ($500-$750 USD). Mano Amiga selects applicants with the drive to succeed, thereby improving their families' prospects and strengthening communities.​​ When a woman receives a Mano Amiga loan, she enters a sisterhood of small businesswomen, and the powerful message she hears is “we believe in you.” And the best part is that after each recipient pays back her loan, that money is then loaned to another woman, and so on, benefitting many future recipients as well. One donation changes the lives of many women and their families.

Beautiful pieces on offer at a prior Mano Amiga clothing sale
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Mano Amiga promotes traditional cultural products and values environmental sustainability. For example, Laura received a loan to expand her mole business. The recipes for these delicious sauces have been in her family for generations. Patricia, Carolina, and others create exquisite handicrafts such as handmade jewelry and embroidered linens, while Imelda crafts traditional piñatas. Mano Amiga also supports women making progress in non-traditional ways: Diana's business is the only female-owned muffler shop in San Miguel.

To learn more, visit www.manoamigasma.org and follow Mano Amiga on Facebook @manoamigasanmiguel and Instagram @manoamigasma.

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This event is free and open to the public. Only a few VIP tickets ($1,000 MXN) are still available for the VIP Hour from 5-6pm. A VIP ticket entitles you to early entrance to the shopping opportunity, beautifully crafted cocktails and hors d'oeuvres offered by Kan Bei, a swag bag, and a raffle ticket for a prize worth over $2,000 MXN. To purchase VIP tickets, contact: info.manoamigasma@gmail.com. Only 50 VIP tickets will be sold.

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Ann Marie Jackson is the award-winning author of The Broken Hummingbird and a columnist for Mexico News Daily. Jackson is also co-founder of microlending organization Mano Amiga and former Vice President of Casita Linda, which builds homes for families living in extreme poverty in central Mexico. Early in her career, after earning degrees from Stanford and Harvard, Jackson joined the U.S. Department of State to promote human rights in China and other East Asian and Pacific Island nations. She has worked with Human Rights Watch, A Better Chance, and Internews to further social justice causes and advance respect for human rights. A native of Seattle, Washington, Jackson resides in San Miguel de Allende. She can be reached through her website:
www.annmariejacksonauthor.com.

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