The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 4, 1999 - 19A
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I
People have accused
Nike of operating without
any regard for the people
in developing countries.
Particularly in Vietnam,
where we currently
employ 43,000 people.
If you're genuinely
concerned about this, we've
got a way for you to not
only help, but to go over
to Vietnam and see the
results first-hand.
Another token effort by
a giant, multi-national
corporation to help diffuse
some bad press, right?
Wrong. It's Nike's micro-
loan program. A program
that's helped thousands
of people since it began
over two years ago.
It works like this: You
make a contribution of $75
to Friendship Bridge, the
group that administers the
program. They, in turn,
distribute the funds to
people who use it to start
their own businesses.
With every contribution,
Nike creates a matching
loan for $75, giving yet
another person a start on
the road to prosperity.
Now you might think, big
deal. $75. What's that
going to do? In a country
where the average annual
income is $260, that's some
serious venture capital.
(FYI: a typical worker in
our Vietnamese facilities
makes over double the
average annual wage: $564).
Micro-loan recipients
don't work for us, and the
businesses they start have
nothing to do with making
our stuff.
It's simply a community
based lending program for
people who happen to live
near one of our facilities.
To date, we've issued
over 3200 micro-loans,
creating almost as many
businesses in the process.
Businesses that are
growing, reinvesting and
improving the lives of over
15,000 people.
For less than the cost
of a half dozen CDs, you
can help people go from
struggling to thriving. And
by participating, you're
eligible to visit Vietnam
and see your investment in
action-on us.
To learn more about, or
better yet, to get involved
in the micro-loan program,
go to www.nikebiz.com.
Despite what our critics
would like you to believe,
Nike is doing its part to
raise the standard of living
for people in Vietnam and
other developing countries.
The question is, are you?
j
www.nikebiz.com