Alumnus makes a difference in Mexico

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Tags: finance, Mexico, summer-2011, volunteers

UQ alumnus Kim Groves surveys the ancient Zapotec city of Yagul

Kim Groves has this simple but powerful advice for others wanting to make a difference in the world – “be courageous”.

It’s an approach that has paid off for the Spanish and development studies graduate, who recently swapped her apartment in Brisbane for a mosquito net in Mexico to learn more about the microfinance movement.

Since May, Ms Groves has been based in Oaxaca as a volunteer for Fundación En Vía (“On the path”), a group which provides interest-free loans for a diverse range of small businesses run by local women.

Loans in Mexico often carry very high interest rates, locking entire parts of the population out of the market. En Vía offers tours to show microfinance at work – using 100 percent of income to invest into local businesses and additional services such as free English classes.

Ms Groves’s fascination with the country began when she took a round-the-world trip following graduation in 2006. Inspired by what she saw and experienced, she returned to Brisbane and wrote her honours thesis on modern Mexican land reform.

After seeking out international volunteer opportunities earlier this year, Ms Groves found herself being quizzed by En Vía staff on webcam.

“I remember them asking me at the end of the interview if I needed time to think about making the commitment and buying the ticket to travel there. ‘I’ve already bought it’, I replied.”

One of En Vía’s customers with her weaving projects

Ms Groves said absorbing a new culture and language had been made easier thanks to the kindness and generosity of the local people. Highlights of her stay to date have included visiting Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban, cheering along at soccer matches and sampling the delights of Mexican cuisine (including grasshoppers!)

In addition to developing her Spanish skills, Ms Groves has been able to harness her love of photography while in Mexico, with her images featured on the En Vía website and used to promote the organisation’s work in the media.

She said being involved in a small non-government organisation had taught her the importance of being flexible and using initiative to solve problems.

“There are no fixed topic questions, or style guides out here. Among the volunteers we have a saying that we are working with a ‘moving target’,” she said.

Ms Groves said her experiences in Mexico had inspired her to undertake further study, and to seek out future development projects that assist women to succeed on their own terms.

“The women I work with inspire and surprise me constantly,” she said.

“I realise, being here, and hearing their stories, that ‘the path’ to development is often a difficult one. However, I have learnt with En Vía that when a woman is given a chance to walk it, she does so with pride.”

By Cameron Pegg

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