the microdreams foundation is a u.s. 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit organization founded by gregory casagrande in 2002 as a microfinance accelerator that helps small , growing micro-enterprise development organizations reach financial self-sufficiency .

microdreams ’ primary goal is to provide the global poor , in particular women , with economic opportunity to empower them to work their way out of poverty .

the non-profit provides financing to start-up and tier 3 microfinance institutions that otherwise would not be able to receive funding .

the majority of large microfinance investment vehicles and asset management firms avoid providing funding to these types of microfinance institutions because they are considered too small and too risky to be a safe investment .

the microdreams foundation

gregory f . casagrande , founder at the microdreams foundation , inc . - relationship science
the microdreams foundation , inc . south pacific business development microfinance network transformative ventures ltd .
we have 5 contacts for the microdreams foundation inc , including 3 contacts with email addresses .
mission : the microdreams foundation supports small promising microfinance institutions in the developing world to achieve permanency through financial self - sufficiency .
the microdreams foundation provides direct investments , bilateral loans and loan guarantees to highly rated small microfinance institutions , ensuring funds continue to reach entrepeneurs in need throughout the developing world .
the microdreams foundation is located in newark , new jersey . this organization primarily operates in the civic and social associations business / industry within the membership organizations sector . this organization has been operating for approximately 8 years . the microdreams foundation is estimated to generate $ 201 , 273 in annual revenues , and employs approximately 3 people at this single location .
programs : the microdreams foundation provides direct investments , bilateral loans and loan guarantees to highly rated small microfinance institutions , ensuring funds continue to reach entrepeneurs in need throughout the developing world . the microdreams foundation provides direct investments , bilateral loans and loan guarantees to highly rated small microfinance institutions , ensuring funds continue to reach entrepeneurs in need throughout the developing world .
gregory casagrande is the driving force behind the microdreams foundation ( “microdreams” ) and south pacific business development ( “spbd” ) , which make up the first successful microfinance network across the south pacific , with operations in samoa , tonga , fiji and the solomon islands . ( more about the founder )
we have 3 contacts for aids resource foundation for children inc , including 1 contact with email addresses .
microdreams’ microenterprise development partners in the fight against global poverty span the globe . below is a list of select microenterprise development organization ( medo ) alliances that microdreams has established :
aids resource foundation for children is located in newark , new jersey . this organization primarily operates in the civic and social associations business / industry within the membership organizations sector . aids resource foundation for children employs approximately 3 people at this branch location .
our formal rebranding to “the microdreams foundation” occurred in 2007 to highlight our expanding geographic focus and mission to assist young mfis to follow the successful path to commercial permanence blazed by spbd samoa . to that end , microdreams has provided critical financing to mfis in latin america to help them grow .
we need your help so microdreams can provide the critical financial assistance to spbd - fiji .
how can i put and write and define microdreams in a sentence and how is the word microdreams used in a sentence and examples ? 用microdreams造句 , 用microdreams造句 , 用microdreams造句 , microdreams meaning , definition , pronunciation , synonyms and example sentences are provided by ichacha . net .
u . s . internal revenue code . donations to microdreams are tax - deductible .
microdreams builds financially sustainable , replicable , and scalable medos that directly empower poor families to lift themselves permanently out of poverty . and microdreams does this where no one else does .
the microdreams foundation has its roots in the south pacific business development foundation ( spbd ) , a microenterprise development organization founded by greg casagrande in the pacific island nation of samoa in 2000 . spbd is the first successful medo in the pacific islands region and is well known for its efficiency and its effectiveness at empowering the poor . in 2007 , spbd - usa re - branded and became microdreams . microdreams is now focused on helping young medos follow the successful path to commercial permanence blazed by spbd . today , although microfinance is renowned , the vast majority of financing goes to the world’s largest microfinance institutions , and hence the vast majority of the world’s poor remain without meaningful economic opportunity . the execution of microdreams’ vision will help to spread microfinance services throughout the developing world .
with support from donors and investors , microdreams usa and microdreams new zealand continue to grow . we are proud to be early investors in successful mfis in the south pacific and latin america . microdreams will continue to work with new partners around the world to seed the next generation of mfis that will benefit the world’s poor .
microdreams empowers the poor to lift themselves permanently out of poverty through meaningful economic opportunity . to learn more visit
through its partner organizations , microdreams touches the lives of thousands of entrepreneurs , who in turn invest in their families’ education and housing needs . microdreams is proud to be an organization focused on changing lives , one at a time . microdreams has helped empower dreams for those profiled below and many more .
also on the list are villagereach ( which charity evaluator givewell listed as its top rated charity from 2009 to november 2011 ) , living goods ( which has been profiled in many media outlets ) , bridge international academies ( a muso , and the microdreams foundation .
' the microdreams foundation
' is a u . s . 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non - profit organization founded by gregory casagrande in 2002 as a microfinance accelerator that helps small , growing micro - enterprise development organizations reach financial self - sufficiency .
the microdreams foundation is a charitable microfinance acceleration fund designed to help new and emerging microfinance and micro - enterprise development organizations launch and scale their organizations to the point of commercial viability . microdreams has been the driving force behind the development of the spbd microfinance network in the south pacific ( samoa , tonga and fiji ) and has helped to scale young emerging partner mfi’s in bolivia , ecuador and peru . microdreams provides loans , loan guarantees and technical assistance to partner microfinance institutions to help them achieve their goals of providing meaningful economic opportunity to the poorest members of society .
any references to a parallel application for incorporeal entities indicated through patch notes included with the revision were taken out in subsequent updates . further investigation by foundation agents is ongoing .
microdreams uses loans , loan guarantees , and technical assistance to help provide meaningful economic opportunity to the poorest members of society .
microdreams helped south pacific business development expand into tonga in 2009 , fiji in 2010 , and the solomon islands in 2013 .
microdreams is a non - governmental , non - profit organization and a registered charitable organization in the united states and new zealand .
greg casagrande of summit , ceo of the microdreams foundation , meets the ceos of the eighth - grade groups that raised money for his organization . from left : jonathan saminski of westfield , jordan rose of north plainfield , naya shim of warren and yumna naqvi of south plainfield . ( photo courtesy of wardlaw - hartridge school )
genoveva has been a valuable client of emprender , microdreams’ field partner in bolivia , since 2005 . doña . . .
microdreams’ first investment was in spbd samoa . when spbd samoa repaid its start - up financing , microdreams reinvested this money into other mfis . we have been there every step of the way to support the launch and growth of spbd in samoa , tonga , fiji and the solomon islands .
south pacific business development foundation ( spbd ) apia , samoa urltoken since its arrival in samoa in 2000 , spbd has provided over usd 12 million in loans to provide opportunities for some 9 , 000 samoan families . microdreams has helped spbd mobilize more than usd 1 million in financing via grants , direct loans and loan guarantees . microdreams funds have been used to provide loans to samoan women in need , execute key good governance projects and expand to the nearby and more rural samoan islands . microdreams also provided direct aid to hundreds of families devastated by the samoan tsunami in 5september 2009 .
the body shop australia , the wise foundation , and south pacific business development of samoa ( spbd - samoa ) have teamed up to launch a small business training and mentoring program for several small retail shop owners in samoa to help them further develop successful micro - enterprises . in addition to the training , the wise foundation also provided a $ a30 , 000 grant to spbd - samoa for the expansion of its micro - enterprise loan program .
in 1989 , sting and trudie styler founded the rainforest foundation in response to a direct request for help from a kayapo indian leader in brazil who was seeking to protect his peoples’ land and culture .
what do you consider your greatest achievement ? other than my kids , the development and growth of my microfinance initiatives ( spbd and microdreams ) .
we have partnered with the following microfinance institutions in the south pacific and latin america . microdreams will continue to work with new partners around the world to seed the next generation of mfis that will benefit the world’s poor .
greg casagrande greg is the founder and managing director of microdreams . he is also the founder of south pacific business development microfinance network ( spbd ) , the leading microfinance institution in the pacific islands region .
the rainforest foundation us has worked with three catchafire pro bono professionals to date . the projects included brand identity , a public relations plan and copywriting . all three of these initiatives have helped broaden awareness and support for their cause .
wardlaw - hartridge students showed their compassion and generosity by providing microdreams with a $ 1 , 500 donation to support our work with the south pacific business development microfinance network . the school has supported microdreams and spbd for many years , and greg ( a graduate of the school ) visits to discuss microfinance and the work of spbd with students .
the rainforest foundation supports indigenous and traditional people of the world in their efforts to protect their environment and and fulfill their rights . the rainforest foundation was one of the first organizations to focus on the vital link between protection of the rainforest and securing the rights of indigenous peoples . as deforestation pressures have intensified , providing the support needed for indigenous peoples to remain stewards of their ancestral lands has proven to be extremely effective in protecting rainforest . recent data in brazil shows that the deforestation rate in the amazon was 1 % in indigenous areas versus 24 % outside of those areas .
all four groups were able to make a profit in their businesses , led by ceos naya shim of warren , jonathan saminski of westfield , jordan rose of north plainfield and yumna naqvi of south plainfield . the money they raised , $ 2463 . 76 , was presented to casagrande on june 6 for his microdreams foundation to help empower more women to start businesses .
microdreams will help change this by financing the startup of our newest micro - enterprise development organization field partner , spbd - fiji , which officially launched in october .
4 . iamfi’s membersfounding membersdoen foundation tiaa - crefomidyar network plainfield asset managementgray ghost ventures rockefeller foundationgray matters capital triodos managementprudentialcharter members blueorchard finance usa , g . casagrande ( spbd , microdreams ) , calvert foundation , co - operative financial services , developing world markets , elevar equity , global microfinance partners , hsbc , j . p . morgan , microcredit enterprises , microfinanza rating , microvest , minlam asset management , morgan stanley , norwegian microfinance initiative , planet rating , prudential , omidyar - tufts microfinance fund , orrick herrington & sutcliffe , ronoc , triple jump , individuals
microdreams has recently posted its first projects to catchafire , and is now seeking its first pro bono professionals ! you can have an impact by helping microdreams with a copywriting project and a website design project . the copywriting project will assist microdreams deliver their message more effectively to donors / supporters , partners and other key stakeholders . the professional would work with the coo to play a crucial role in helping to convey their message in a compelling , thoughtful and inspirational way . microdreams is also looking for a website design professional who can help them re - design their new , but not - yet - launched website to better communicate the “look and feel” of the organization .
greg has not only changed lives in samoa , microdreams has also made it their goal to help other young microenterprise developers ( medo ) , follow their success . microdreams has delivered $ 500 , 000 of financing to young , well managed medo’s in bolivia , ecuador , tonga and uganda .
in 2007 , spbd - usa re - branded and became microdreams . microdreams is now focused on helping other young medo’s follow the success path to commercial permanence blazed by spbd a few years earlier . since rebranding , microdreams has delivered nearly us $ 500 , 000 of financing to young , well managed medo ' s in bolivia , ecuador , tonga and uganda . each medo is now quickly scaling its operations to become permanently viable medo’s dedicated to empowering the poor with a powerful hand - up and not a hand - out . microdreams continues to actively take on new partners around the world in its mission to seed the next generation of medo ' s to benefit the world’s poor .
the organization’s initial project led to a role coordinating the first ever privately funded demarcation of indian land in the region . since then the rainforest foundation has grown into a small network of four independent organizations in the us , the uk and norway , working collectively in 20 rainforest countries around the globe . collectively they have helped protect 28 million acres of forest .
the microdreams foundation has its roots in south pacific business development foundation ( spbd ) , a microenterprise development organization ( medo ) founded by greg casagrande in the pacific island nation of samoa in 2000 . spbd is the first successful medo in the pacific islands region and is well known for its efficiency and its effectiveness at empowering the poor . a sister organization , spbd - usa , was established in 2002 as a us 501c3 nonprofit organization to help fund the launch and growth of spbd in samoa . as spbd grew and become economically viable , several commercial entities stepped in to permanently finance its ongoing growth . this enabled spbd to payback its spbd - usa sponsored start - up financing and gave spbd - usa the opportunity to expand its horizons .
edison — in january , greg casagrande , a 1981 graduate of the wardlaw - hartridge school and current member of its board of trustees , spoke to eighth grade students about business and finance . he told them that he started the south pacific development foundation / microdreams to empower women in the villages of samoa to begin their own businesses . the success of these women has enabled them to pay back their loans and also improve their communities by helping each other .
following the success of spbd samoa , microdreams helped the launch of spbd tonga in 2009 . in general , tonga’s economy is vulnerable and employment opportunities are limited . around 70 % of the population lives in rural areas , where much of the rural poor lack a source of income . the labor force participation rate as a percentage of the female population is 54 % , which is one reason why the help of spbd tonga and microdreams is so important .
the microdreams team has deep experience in the u . s . and new zealand private sectors and a history of successfully harnessing private sector expertise to build efficient , sustainable , socially responsible businesses within the non - profit world .
microdreams is the sister organization to the south pacific business development ( “spbd” ) microfinance network , the most successful group of mfis operating in the south pacific islands of samoa , tonga , fiji and the solomon islands . founder gregory casagrande and board members established microdreams in the united states and new zealand as charitable entities ( originally called spbd - usa and spbd - nz ) to enable friends and family in these countries to raise awareness and funds for microfinance in the south pacific .
microdreams is a charitable organisation registered in the united states and new zealand . the organisation is focused on helping young microenterprise development organisations ( medo’s ) follow the path to commercial permanence through credit and education . microdreams aims to empower the world’s poor by providing them with meaningful economic opportunity so that they can work their way permanently out of poverty by providing sustainable , replicable and scalable solutions in markets where no one else does .
today , although microfinance is renowned , the vast majority of financing goes to the world ' s largest microfinance institutions and hence the vast majority of the world ' s poor remain without meaningful economic opportunity . the execution of microdreams vision will help to spread microfinancial services to every corner of the developing world .
microdreams works to ensure its partner microfinance institutions are able to grow and to provide much - needed financial and non - financial services to poor women in remote and rural areas .
microdreams seeks only the highest quality microfinance partners who can demonstrate managerial excellence , client growth and a healthy loan portfolio and who share our value of providing meaningful economic opportunity to those who needed it most .
microdreams has continued to help ider expand its outreach and services into the rural regions of peru . as of the end of 2015 , ider’s percentage of female borrowers reached 59 . 7 % with 2 , 471 total active borrowers .
securing land rights for indigenous peoples is a top priority for indigenous peoples across the world as it gives communities the control and security they need to protect their forests . however , indigenous groups often face significant legal , procedural and technical hurdles to obtaining legal recognition of their land rights , such as accurate marking of boundaries , professional maps and formal title documentation . the rainforest foundation is assisting its partners overcome these challenges by providing technical support to map territorial boundaries , document land claims and assist with complex administrative and legal procedures . on regional and national levels , the rainforest foundation is supporting indigenous organizations and networks to negotiate with the relevant authorities and gain formal recognition .
in may and june , microdreams made loans totaling $ 250 , 000 and $ 200 , 000 to spbd samoa and spbd fiji respectively . the loans will enable the two entities to continue expanding their outreach and improving their product offerings .
microdreams is pleased to have polly kelekis join the team as its first chief operating officer . polly is working closely with greg to develop the organization further and grow its resource base with the ultimate goal of empowering poor microentrepreneurs by providing them with meaningful economic opportunity so they can work their way permanently out of poverty . polly is responsible for the day - to - day operations of microdreams , including new business development , stakeholder relationship management , marketing , outreach and fundraising .
microdreams monitors its mfi partners and ensures that they provide loans for underprivileged people to start their own businesses as well as proper training and mentoring to guide their female microentrepreneurs towards business success .
along with his partner claire he traveled to samoa in 2006 and saw the spbd and microdreams project in progress . it was both humbling and inspiring to visit several villages and witness first hand what the project means to the women involved and the significant impact on their day to day lives .
in january 2014 , the new zealand - based snakk media , contributed funding to microdreams in support of the spbd networks ' newest branches in fiji and the solomon islands as part of its impactful treasury management strategy and in recognition of new zealand ' s deep links to the south pacific .
we offer an enormous thanks to graeme wise , founder and owner of the body shop australia and the wise foundation , for his support of samoan micro - entrepreneurs through this program . we also express our heartfelt appreciation to alex mcdonald , mark kindness , louisa trombin , adam valvasori , lawrence cupido , and all others involved .
prior to launching my own mfi , i visited chittagong , bangladesh for a few weeks to learn firsthand the details of operating an mfi from one of the world’s most successful organizations , grameen bank . back in samoa and armed with new knowledge , i launched a greenfield mfi to give samoan women the opportunity to improve their families’ lives . and thus , spbd was born . when my family and friends learned what i was doing , they wanted to help . so , we established the microdreams foundation ( originally called spbd - usa ) to raise awareness and funds for microfinance in the south pacific .
since rebranding , microdreams has delivered more than us $ 1 . 5m of financing to young , well managed medos in bolivia , ecuador , peru , samoa , tonga and fiji . each medo is scaling its operations to become permanently viable and is dedicated to empowering the poor with a powerful hand - up and not a hand - out . microdreams continues to actively take on new partners around the world in its mission to seed the next generation of medos to benefit the world’s poor .
if you want to get involved , please favorite the rainforest foundation us on catchafire . ( you need to be logged in to do this . ) we’ll alert you as new opportunities to get involved become available . if you want to learn more about this great opportunity , email community @ catchafire . org .
microdreams acts as a catalyst to help develop and grow a new generation of microenterprise development organizations ( medos ) . with microdreams’ suite of new venture financing and advisory services , these small , young , promising , potentially high - growth medos will grow , prosper and become permanent entities in their communities . they will provide the local poor with small business training , unsecured credit and ongoing guidance and motivation to make their clients’ micro - businesses a success . microdreams’ medo partners will also provide their clients credit for basic housing improvements and for childhood education , as well as access to convenient savings facilities and appropriate insurance coverage .
microdreams will act as a catalyst to help develop and grow a new generation of microenterprise development organizations ( medos ) . with microdreams suite of new venture financing and advisory services , these small , young , promising , potentially hi - growth medos will grow , prosper and become permanent entities in their communities . they will provide the local poor with small business training , unsecured credit and ongoing guidance and motivation to make their clients ' micro - businesses a success . microdreams medo partners will also provide their clients credit for basic housing improvements and for childhood education as well as access to convenient savings facilities and appropriate insurance coverage .
out of 80 nominations , spbd has been shortlisted as a finalist in the microfinance recognition awards taking place in washington d . c . on october 26 . spbd has been nominated in the category of microfinance professionalization . other shortlisted organizations in this category include sks microfinance , grameen foundation , and women ' s world banking . congratulations and good luck !
women like tina in samoa , had the opportunity to start her own company with just a $ 270 loan from microdreams . now she is able to support her five children . this is just one of the success stories made possible by greg and his initiative .
tay - bandz primarily does good through raising funds for cutting - edge pediatric cancer research . the foundation is currently funding research at memorial sloan - kettering cancer center , hope & heroes children’s cancer fund at the columbia university medical center and the national institutes of health . through partnerships with corporate sponsors such as bloomingdale’s and capitalone , tay - bandz advocates for research and raises awareness of the lack of adequate government funding .
since its founding , microdreams has delivered approximately us $ 2 , 000 , 000 of financing to young , well - managed medos ( microenterprise development organizations ) in bolivia , ecuador , peru , tonga , fiji , and the solomon islands .
microdreams is currently looking for professionals to help them with a copywriting project . and a website design project . if this is not in your skillset but you would like to get involved , please favorite the microdreams page on catchafire . ( you need to be logged in to do this . ) we’ll alert you as new opportunities to get involved become available . if you want to learn more about this great opportunity , email community @ catchafire . org .
description : scp - 2876 is a smartphone application titled
headspace
appearing in web application marketplaces connected to the global public internet . it describes itself as a service making
dreams from the floor to your door
and allows users to purchase customized dreams and microdreams .
change the name ( also url address , possibly the category ) of the page .
via a loan guarantee , microdreams negotiated fundamic ' s access to usd 100 , 000 in financing from a commercial bank . the funds are being used to expand fundamic ' s regional reach and provide more dollars to more ecuadorian entrepreneurs in need .
genoveva llanos de marin makes beautiful shoes in her small house in bolivia . thanks to the support she is getting from microdreams ' patner emprender , genoveva was able to improve and expand her home and workshop , and also help her daughter through university .
over the past nine years , microdreams has provided substantial support to the spbd microfinance network in all four of its branches in ( samoa , tonga , fiji , and the solomon islands ) and has helped to scale up other young emerging partner microfinance institutions ( mfis ) in bolivia , ecuador , and peru .
navigating the waters of nonprofit , international poverty alleviation through microfinance is tricky business , and microdreams could not do what we do without expert legal help . thanks to an incredibly talented team from allen & overy law firm in new york , we have received valuable legal advice and services relating to complex governance and regulatory issues . the allen & overy team ' s professional expertise and extensive due diligence will ensure microdreams ' ability to carry on our work around the world . what ' s more , they provided all these services pro bono !
for many organizations with a mission to serve the poor , it is essential to measure local poverty levels and track their development so that services can be properly targeted and so stakeholders are provided with objective evidence demonstrating the influence and impact such institutions are generating . developed by the grameen foundation to be easy to use by local organizations , the progress out of poverty index is one of the most recognized and effective poverty measurement tools and is used by over 200 organizations in 45 countries worldwide , including the international finance corporation .
through funding from whole planet foundation and pfip , spbd solomon islands opened a second branch in munda on march 11 th , 2016 . in the next three years , spbd si plans to reach another 5 , 255 women entrepreneurs and give $ 15 . 4 million sbd ( $ 1 . 9m usd ) in loans . already and even in the first month of its opening , the munda branch had already served over 200 clients .
five body shop employees will visit samoa for a week , pro bono , to initially train 10 spbd members who have started their own retail shops in merchandising , marketing , customer service , and business planning . the wise foundation will also assist in the development of the curriculum for the small business training and mentoring program . this inspiration program will offer samoan women entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow and develop their businesses and entrepreneurial skills , and provide australian entrepreneurs a unique challenge and cross - cultural exchange .
it ' s official : south pacific business development has expanded to fiji ! the new microenterprise development organization will bring meaningful economic opportunity to tens of thousands of low income fijians . microdreams will provide major financial support to spbd - fiji to catalyze its outreach and growth .
mission markets is currently working with their first pro bono professional on a brand identity project . mission markets had a lot of ideas about the brand and messaging related to their marketing , but were looking for an expert to help them define the right brand to capture who they are and what they are trying to do . this brand identity will clearly convey their mission , values and personality to the outside world and form the foundation of their future marketing and communications strategy .
spbd microfinance ltd - tonga nuku’alofa , tonga microdreams is proud to be the major launch partner for spbd - tonga which began operations in august 2009 . spbd - tonga helps fight poverty by providing opportunities for women and their families to enhance their income generating capabilities through microfinance and training . microdreams has provided over usd 200 , 000 in start - up capital to help spbd - tonga reach nearly 1000 tongan microentrepreneurs in only a few short months . spbd - tonga operates on the main island of tongatapu and will subsequently expand to outer islands .
the body shop australia , wise foundation and spbd samoa launched a pilot to strengthen microenterprises and build business skills for spbd clients . last month , a small group of clients participated in the business development workshop led by facilitators and mentors of the body shop australia . during the 5 - day training and mentoring program , spbd clients learned about sound business principles , including good service , merchandising , promotions and cash flow . with help from program mentors , clients applied the theory in each of their respective businesses .
microdreams works in samoa , tonga , fiji , the solomon islands , vanuatu ( 2017 ) and peru has helped more than 60 , 000 poor but aspiring micro - entrepreneurs lift themselves and thier families out of poverty in these nations via a sustainable micro - entrepreneurship program .
microdreams mission is to empower the world ' s poor by providing them with meaningful economic opportunity so that they can work their way permanently out of poverty . we work in countries throughout the south pacific - - samoa , tonga , fiji , solomon islands , vanuatu ( 2017 ) - - and in latin america .
spbd launched services in fiji in december 2010 . after strong successes in samoa , empower women to start microbusiness with funds sources from spbd . since its opening , spbd fiji has disbursed 25 , 250 loans to its clients since inception . microdreams expects spbd fiji to become the largest mfi in the sbpd network over the next 5 years with a client base in excess of 20 , 000 clients . since the devastating cyclone winston , that killed two spbd fiji members and destroyed many of their homes , grants from many funders have been given to spbd for the relief and rehabilitation program . microdreams new zealand gave approximately us $ 40 , 540 or fj $ 83 , 402 to the program and more funds are expected to come in the next quarter .
based on casagrande’s business , a project was created so that the eighth graders would understand the purpose of microdreams and help them become leaders themselves . the eighth graders were broken up into four groups and each group was to form a business , elect officers , write a business plan and double the $ 140 given to them by the middle school student council as start - up money . they worked on this project from late february until the second week in may .
at microdreams , we believe that extending financial services to low - income people – known as “microfinance” – is an effective and flexible strategy in the fight against poverty . we believe that everyone deserves access to financial services , which will help them work their way to a better future . today , microfinance institutions ( mfis ) provide critical financial services to some of the poorest populations in the world that are viewed as “too risky” by traditional financial institutions . by establishing successful mfis , microdreams enables poor , aspiring microentrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses and generate income to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families . we have seen the results , and we are proud to support our partner mfis and the hard - working microentrepreneurs they serve .
polly brings more than 17 years of both corporate and non - profit experience to microdreams , including six years in the microfinance industry . her work in microfinance has taken her to diverse countries , including tanzania , honduras , haiti , armenia and fiji . prior to microdreams , polly worked at finca international and consulted for the united nations capital development fund ( uncdf ) . in 2003 - 04 , she managed the volunteer team for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2004 olympic games in athens , greece . previously , polly held posts at accenture and booz allen hamilton and also worked at the office of dr . henry a . kissinger , the center for strategic and international studies ( csis ) , and the corporate executive board . polly has an mba from the wharton school of business , an ma in international economics and international relations from the school of advanced international studies ( sais ) of the johns hopkins university , and a ba from yale university .
polly brings more than 17 years of both corporate and non - profit experience to microdreams , including six years in the microfinance industry . her work in microfinance has taken her to diverse countries , including tanzania , honduras , haiti , armenia and fiji . prior to microdreams , polly worked at finca international and consulted for the financial inclusion practice area ( fipa ) of the united nations capital development fund ( uncdf ) . in 2003 - 04 , she managed the volunteer team for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2004 olympic games in athens , greece . previously , polly held posts at accenture and booz allen hamilton and also worked at the office of dr . henry a . kissinger , the center for strategic and international studies ( csis ) , and the corporate executive board . polly has an mba from the wharton school of business , an ma in international economics and international relations from the school of advanced international studies ( sais ) of the johns hopkins university , and a ba from yale university .
one device containing scp - 2876 is to be held in a deactivated state within site - 77 . it is to be regularly activated every 30 days in a controlled environment in order to check for updates and changes to scp - 2876 ' s functionality . scp - 2876 ' s apparent origin point of portland , or , is to be monitored by foundation agents stationed at site - 64 for future activity .
microdreams is a non - governmental , non - profit organization and a registered charitable organization in the united states and new zealand . our mission is to directly empower the world’s poor by providing them with meaningful economic opportunity so that they can work their way permanently out of poverty . we provide sustainable , replicable and scalable solutions in markets where no one else does .
polly kelekis as chief operating officer , polly is charged with further developing the organization and growing its resource base with the ultimate goal of empowering poor micro entrepreneurs by providing them with meaningful economic opportunity so they can work their way permanently out of poverty . polly is responsible for the day - to - day operations of microdreams , including new business development , stakeholder relationship management , marketing , outreach and fundraising .
allyson lippert allyson lippert is a consultant at the boston consulting group , focusing on retail and marketing work . she received her mba in 2007 from the stanford graduate school of business with certificates in both global and public management . she interned with south pacific business development foundation during the summer of 2002 , completing marketing projects for the organization . in addition , she created 20 paintings of women at work in the micro - businesses to raise awareness of spbd and the impact of microcredit . she graduated from the university of north carolina at chapel hill in 2003 with a bs in business administration and a ba in political science , having written a thesis entitled
the macroeconomic impact of microfinance in samoa .
she currently resides in san francisco .
significantly increased the visibility of the breadth of issues facing lgbt people and their families . throughout 2010 , the task force was one of the most quoted lgbt organizations in the country , and has one of the largest and most - followed social media efforts in the community .
1 . to hold the issue of youth unemployment firmly on the global agenda .
ider cv was established in 1990 as a development ngo and has been involved in microfinance since 1993 through its procrider division . procrider currently has nearly 3 , 000 clients in the la libertad , tumbes and cajamarca regions of northern peru . through microdreams’ support , ider cv has accessed usd 150 , 000 in additional financing to expand its services mainly to poor rural clients in the huamachuco area .
to build a successful microfinance network , i believe one of the key factors is to be client - oriented – we must always be respectful of our clients and work hard to directly serve their needs . it is this culture of respect and client service that runs throughout the work that microdreams and spbd does . this is why we refer to them as “clients” and not “beneficiaries . ”
at the award ceremony in tonga , the minister of education , women ' s affairs and culture gave the keynote address .
the experience proved valuable for both spbd and the students . as ashley larson writes ,
coverage of the initiative , by clicking on the video below or go to urltoken .
another of the task force’s most exciting new programs is the new beginning initiative , composed of a variety of organizations which are organized by the task force . the coalition has been working with the obama administration to make concrete changes that benefit the entire lgbt community .
through the queer the census campaign , the task force distributed over 140 , 000 stickers that people placed on their census envelopes demanding that lgbt individuals be counted in the census .
long before most residents in the village of matafaa rise in the morning , industrious faaea is wide awake , preparing the . . .
jim young jim has been a board member of microdreams and its predecessor organization since 2002 . he is a graduate of princeton university with an economics degree and received his mba from the kellogg school of management . he also completed the cfa program . jim works as an investment analyst at west family investments , a private family office , in evanston il . before his current position , he worked at goldman sachs for 19 years - equity research for 3 years in new york city and institutional equities sales for 16 years in chicago . he lives in evanston , il with his wife , karen , and children , stephanie , henry and katie . karen is an active and enthusiastic supporter of microdreams . jim and his family are committed to microfinance and its basic premise of helping people help themselves .
we continue to have a busy and productive year here at microdreams . in september and october i traveled to fiji to help launch our newest field partner , south pacific business development fiji ( spbd - fiji ) . lionel somaratne is the new general manager , bringing his extensive microfinance management experience as ceo of nationwide microbank in papua new guinea . ( you can read more about lionel and spbd - fiji
because of the lack of employment in the area , karina decided to open a business making picture frames . she has used the . . .
( thank you very much ) to the kelley team for their excellent report and to professor phil powell , the mba program chair , for coordinating the project and laying the groundwork in suva .
tina is one of the micro - entrepreneurs supported by microdreams . she lives in a village in vaimoso , samoa and has a business which produces concrete balusters at her home . she has used her creativity , industrious work effort and a loan from microdreams’ partner south pacific business development ( spbd ) samoa to implant herself right into the middle of the samoan construction industry . tina took out a st $ 750 ( about us $ 270 ) loan to purchase molding cases , a vice , iron rods and cement mix . using the tools , iron rods and concrete mix , she can make a finished concrete baluster in about three hours . she can sell a baluster for st $ 50 ( about us $ 18 ) and is now producing and selling 40 balusters per week . that’s 120 hours per week ( her operation is truly around the clock ! ) . her balusters are used for new western style homes and offices , and tina has now lined up several local contractors to whom she supplies her product . tina , a mother of five , is also now able to afford significant improvements in her very basic home and can afford to give all of her children a good education and a good environment in which to grow up . she is just one of microdreams’ shining examples of formerly poor members who are now supercharged micro - entrepreneurs .
instituto de desarrollo regional
cesar vallejo
( ider cv ) trujillo , peru urltoken ider cv was established in 1990 as a development ngo and has been involved in microfinance since 1993 through its procrider division . procrider currently has nearly 3 , 000 clients in the la libertad , tumbes and cajamarca regions of northern peru . through microdreams’ support , ider cv has accessed usd 150 , 000 in additional financing to expand its services mainly to poor rural clients in the huamachuco area .
speak up now to stand with the 68 . 5 million refugees and displaced people around the world .
gregory casagrande is the driving force behind south pacific business development ( “spbd” ) , the first successful microfinance network across the south pacific , with operations in samoa , tonga , fiji and the solomon islands .
south pacific business development fiji announced that it is partnering with the reserve bank of fiji ( rbf ) and the microfinance charity good return to hold workshops on the progress out of poverty index ( ppi ) that has been developed for fiji and the first in the south pacific region . the aim of the workshops is to shed light on issues of poverty improvement , measuring and monitoring poverty , as well as to provide training for the use of the ppi .
thank you for joining the mercy corps community . together we will help meet the world’s urgent needs and build a brighter future for people around the world .
the final phase of the institute is innovation , during which scholars and community members bring the innovations they have developed into a business context and prototype their ideas . they use a process of iteration to develop the products or services into viable business options and collaborate on plans to access the investment needed to start the business .
duddy , the middle school history co - chair , worked with casagrande to create this project for the eighth grade .
microfinance stands as one of the most promising and cost - effective tools in the fight against global poverty .
jacoba siza pingos is a micro - entrepreneur from alluriquin , ecuador . she has received three microloans from microdreams ' ecuadorian partner , fundamic . as a 40 year old single mother , segunda works hard to support her children by making and selling taffy , candy and other sweets . the loans from fundamic have helped segunda grow her micro - enterprise and increase her income . segunda explains ,
i ' m happy because this institution believes in me and helps me with credit and information to live better .
the sean costello memorial fund conducts fundraising through the sale of merchandise and music benefits , however they also search for donors who can provide ideas to further the cause and engage with scientists in groundbreaking research . in 2010 they sponsored a conference of three members of their scientific advisory board in san francisco with the purpose of analyzing data to determine the relationship between creativity and bipolar disorder . additionally , the data was used to evaluate the impact of mania on creativity . the results of this conference were so significant an article was published in clinical psychology review and spawned a community consultation day with crest . bd at the university of british columbia in vancouver . additionally , the scientists presented their findings at the irbd in rome this past april . the irbd is the largest international conference on bipolar disorder , and the sean costello fund was prominently represented .
on the unfortunate side , a few brave souls decided that this warning was the last straw and that they , too , have now decided to permanently move uphill into the bush .
microdreams’ goal is to help our microfinance institution ( mfi ) field partners to become permanently viable institutions dedicated to empowering the poor with a powerful hand - up – not a hand - out . we offer financial and non - financial support , including direct loans , loan guarantees , human resources development , strategic guidance and staff training . with our support , mfis can establish themselves in their communities , reach sustainability , and then scale up to become permanent entities – thereby creating self - sustaining , economic networks in local villages .
motor vehicles operating without the engine running , even running if the battery , engine , ignition and steering column were removed .
sakhi has transformed the lives of both individuals and communities . here are the highlights of just a few of their achievements :
the village of lalomanu , samoa is gone — where 21 clients of spbd lived before the tsunami destroyed their homes and businesses .
she may not be on forbes’ “the world’s most powerful people” list , but lupe made it to the top of . . .
as he accepted the check from teacher nancy duddy , casagrande said , “i am very impressed with the efforts that the eighth grade students pursued over the last few months . i am sure all the students learned about leadership and decision - making as well as the importance of teamwork . and , running a business requires financial planning , an understanding of what customers want and the ability to market and sell a product . this is a wonderful learning experience . ”
the amiji twins give kids an opportunity to get to know other kids living all around the world so they can discover the many things they share in common , and the little things that make them unique . the amiji twins are friendship dolls . every one is handmade by the pair in nepal and has a twin just like it in another country . a handwritten code on the amiji’s tag allows kids to find where their twin lives on amijiworld . com .
greg casagrande has traveled the world , worked in the social sector , and the banking world , when he realized he had the tools to make a difference . ten years ago he and his wife were travelling through new zealand and fell in love with the country and decided to set up their family base camp there . samoa , an impoverished country was next door and the perfect place to launch
the planet finance group emerged from the belief that microfinance , alongside the three development mainstays of democracy , education and infrastructure , is a key factor in creating effective and sustainable anti - poverty strategies . with the support of our partners , the group’s ambition is to create a fairer world by giving those who ar e financially excluded access to the means by which they can create their own businesses , save and take out insurance against the unpredictable events of daily life .


constantia wyn ( wine ) is a south african dessert wine .

it is made from muscat blanc à petits grains ( muscat de frontignan ) grapes grown in the district of constantia , south of cape town .

in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it was widely exported to europe .

however , production of constantia ceased in the late nineteenth century following the devastation of south african vineyards by the phylloxera epidemic .

production resumed at klein constantia in 1986 , at groot constantia in 2003 and at buitenverwachting in 2007 .

constantia ( wine )

the wine cellar houses a wine museum exhibiting wine making equipment , especially wine storage and wine drinking vessels .
simon van der stel founded constantia’s first wine farm , groot constantia in 1685 .
cape silversmiths buying wine at groot constantia – cloete wine ledger , 1825 & 1840 , groot constantia manor house .
today , other estates have joined groot constantia to form the scenic constantia wine route . these estates include klein constantia , buitenverwachting , constantia uitsig , steenberg , constantia glen , eagles ' nest , silvermist vineyards and beau constantia .
two of the five wine and chocolates you can savour at the groot constantia wine and chocolate pairing .
having subsequently been subdivided into smaller farms , constantia uitsig is now one of a select handful of wine estates that together make up the constantia valley wine route .
the constantia wine valley is the oldest in the country , groot constantia having been established by simon van der stel in 1685 .
following his death , and with no remaining family at the cape , van der stel’s constantia farm is subdivided into groot constantia , klein constantia ( later named hoop op constantia ) and bergvliet .
as the oldest wine - producing region in the southern hemisphere , constantia’s uninterrupted history of wine making stretches back over 300 years .
buitenverwachting was established in 1796 , klein constantia in 1823 , eagles’ nest and silvermist in 1984 , constantia glen in 2000 and beau constantia in 2002 .
special thanks to constantia wine route for all their work in helping us uncover the area .
stellenbosch is celebrated for wine , food , people and culture . explore this acclaimed wine region with your expert wine guide .
groot constantia’s revered history tells us how a man’s love of wine established the first wine farm in south africa , going back 330 years .
feel like royalty and visit a wine estate , which originally formed part of the constantia estate .
visit a wine estate , which originally formed part of the much larger , historical constantia estate .
simon van der stel founded constantia’s first wine farm , groot constantia in 1685 . constantia is a rich and diverse destination of its own within cape town , with wine farms , restaurants & many other attractions to look forward to on a short or long visit !
constantia valley shops offer the ultimate shopping experience from big brand names to unique boutiques the constantia valley has it all .
our wine tasting options range from r45 to r90 per person , depending on your wine selection . if you purchase wine to the value of r350 , one wine tasting fee will be waived .
klein constantia - described as one of the world’s most beautiful wine estates , this wine farm is set amidst ancient trees on the upper foothills of the constantiaberg .
the constantia valley’s nine wine farms located just 20 minutes from the city centre are in fact cape town’s vineyard .
constantia glen is ideally located below constantia nek , just moments from the bustling cape town city centre . we are a picturesque boutique wine estate producing ultra - premium , cool climate wines . steeped in history , constantia is the oldest wine producing region in south africa dating back to 1685 .
comte de las cases . napoleon & constantia wine . my residence at the cape of good hope , balkema 1970 .
aside from the occasional afternoon tea in the the historical groot constantia , i haven ' t really ever spent much time exploring the offerings or enjoying the wine of the other wine farms located right on my doorstep in the constantia valley .
there are no less than 9 wine farms that make up the constantia wine route , starting from the top of constantia nek near hout bay , moving down the valley all the way to just below the steenberg mountains near tokai . . .
all the farms are close together , meaning you can hop from one to the other with minimum fuss , but we would recommend taking two to three days to really explore the area properly . each farm has its own unique selling point and charm , but one thing they all have in common is fantastic wine and superb attention to detail . groot constantia , klein constantia , steenberg vineyards , constantia glen wine estate , beau constantia , buitenverwachting , constantia uitsig , eagle’s nest and silvermist all await you in the valley . for help in unpacking it , contact constantia wine route .
constantia , south africa’s oldest wine producing region , is situated less than 20 minutes from the cape town city centre . constantia glen welcomes wine enthusiasts to embark on a wine tasting experience with us . tasting our wines while enjoying the sweeping views from our tasting room and the vineyards is a rare pleasure .
a custom - made wine tour in the wine valley of legends with exclusive access to certain farms and the option of meeting a local wine - maker , makes for a memorable experience in one of cape town’s top wine regions .
of course , constantia has more on offer than the wine farms , with a huge amount of restaurants and bars to choose from .
as portfolio ' s kathryn recently discovered , there are many hidden gems on the constantia wine route just waiting to be enjoyed . . .
unwind with a glass of wine and scrumptious french cuisine in front of a blazing fire at the quaint brasserie pastis , in constantia . situated alongside the vineyards of groot constantia , it exudes warmth and an informal vibe .
ou constantia wyn , c . j . orffer , 1990 , unpublished mss .
contract with loius philippe , king of france at the groot constantia manor house .
hidden gem : constantia glen 5 is a classic constantia blend of the five archetypal bordeaux varieties – cabernet sauvignon , merlot , cabernet franc , malbec and petit verdot .
in the picturesque constantia wine valley , you’ll find cape town’s oldest and most beloved wine estate , groot constantia . it has a whole lot going for it including a beautiful estate , hundreds of years of history , wonderful food and of course the most incredible range of wines . what makes the estate…
constantia valley restaurants offer a wide selection of dining experiences catering for all tastes and ages .
the constantia wine valley is situated on the green slopes of the constantiaberg mountain range and is a mere 15 - minute drive from the center of cape town . dating back to 1685 , constantia is the oldest wine region in south africa boasting eight award - winning wine estates and boutique wineries . the area’s climate favors the production of white wines , notably sauvignon blanc , and is renowned for its sweet wines that first won acclaim in the 17th century . be sure to visit groot constantia , the very first south african wine farm , and indulge in wine tasting and gourmet food al fresco at one of the many on - site restaurants .
wine lovers from around the world travel far and wide to visit groot constantia , south africa’s oldest wine producing estate . here , guests are delighted by cellar and vineyard tours , wine tastings of a number of award - winning wines , a handful of world - class restaurants and the iziko museum set up in the…
die alledaagse lewe op groot constantia tussen die jare 1685 – 1885 . 2 vols , m . p . s . van der merwe . – groot constantia sale , vol . 11 , p . 294 . colyn supervising winemaking at groot constantia vol . 1 , p . 71 .
groot constantia is a historic farm estate that dates back to 1685 , thus making it one of the oldest wine farms in south africa . a visit to groot constantia gives you the chance to relive it’s rich history and discover its development over time , including slavery on the estate . the wine museum gives you a glimpse of the life of a wine merchant and exhibits wine storage and drinking vessels from antiquity to the early 20th century . groot constantia is a fun day out and a magnificent way to gain insight into the life of a successful 18th to late 19th century cape farmer .
beau constantia - laying claim to the highest vines in the valley , planted to an elevation of 350 metres above sea - level on some of the steepest agricultural slopes in the cape , this is a beautiful boutique wine farm situated right at the top of constantia nek .
letter ordering wine for france , 1847 . cloete papers , accessions no . 452
join our wine club to receive special news and exclusive offers from the estate .
accommodation in the constantia valley offers visitors views of historical vineyards , lush greenbelts and glorious mountain ranges .
nestled between tokai forest and the the constantia valley , this market boasts magical vineyard and mountain views .
die geskiedenis van wynbou en wynhandel in die kaapkolonie , 1795 - 1860 , professor d . van zyl , cape town , 1975 – constantia a natural sweet wine , p . 74 .
not only uninterrupted , constantia’s history is also internationally admired . muskadel from the constantia valley won acclaim during the 18th century from famous authors , poets and statesmen alike . napoleon bonaparte had as much as 1 , 126 liters of the cloete family’s constantia wine shipped in wooden casks each year to his home in exile on st helena from 1815 until his death in 1821 . and in sense and sensibility , jane austen’s character mrs jennings recommends a little constantia for “its healing powers on a disappointed heart . ”
van der stel built the house and used the land to produce wine as well as other fruit and vegetables , and for cattle farming . following van der stel ' s death in 1712 the estate was broken up and sold in three parts : groot constantia ; klein constantia ; and bergvliet .
constantia shifted it’s focus to the world market , with the first wines exported by 1761 . by 1788 , the constantia dessert wines ( constantia wyn ) , were highly acclaimed in europe , having been enjoyed by notable historical characters such as frederick the great of prussia , charles dickens , jane austen and napoleon bonaparte .
nobody knows constantia better than a local . when you’re in town be sure to visit the closest vic at kirstenbosch where staff can help you really uncover the magic on offer in constantia and surrounds . also be sure to visit urltoken for all the ins and outs of what is on offer in the constantia valley .
constantia uitsig - known until 1940 as constantia view , this beautiful wine farm is currently undergoing extensive refurbishments to make it one of the most appealing for visitors to the valley . there is a small wine tasting area and the recently opened open door restaurant which comes highly recommended as one of the best foodie experiences in the valley , plus there are also big plans to create a beautiful kitchen garden , picnic area , larger wine tasting facilities and another casual restaurant .
our glass hire service includes wine glasses , flutes and hi - ball tumblers . *
the groot constantia wine range boasts an exquisite array of wines that pay tribute to the amazing terroir and climate that the estate finds itself in . each wine contains notes that make it fit extremely well into its category and stand out at the same time . despite their uniqueness , each wine has a common characteristic , that of being a fantastic and easy wine to drink while at the same time hiding interesting and complicated tasting notes within its bottle .
records of the cape colony , ed . g . mccall theall , govt . printers 1897 . – king george iv & constantia wine , 1827 , p . 74 , 77 & 278 .
since constantia glen is a working farm , for your own safety we can not allow any pedestrian access .
prepare your palette to be amazed with the chocolate & wine pairing , that has unlocked interesting flavour combination by groot constantia with the help of a team of chocolatiers who came together to collaborate on creating not only a sweet way to taste wine , but also a way in which some of their wines with more complicated notes could be tasted and understood . each wine has been delicately paired with a chocolate and the expertly trained staff at groot constantia guide you through the tasting . groot constantia has six options from which they select a daily five flavour pairing option , depending on stock availability .
new york ' s largest producing wine region , the finger lakes has more than 100 wineries dotting the panoramic hills around the lakes . tasting rooms and tours abound , and you ' ll be able to sample such varietals as chardonnay , pinot noir , vidal blank , and riesling . start your tour of the region with a stop at the new york wine & culinary center , which offers wine tastings and information on the region . two popular wine routes to check out are the cayuga wine trail and the seneca wine trail . both showcase the region ' s finest wineries . explore this region ' s wine scene with these
cape town and its surrounds is a world renowned wine region , recognised internationally for its fine wines . while the cape’s famed winelands have spread to stellenbosch , paarl , franschhoek and beyond , it all began in constantia , quite literally cape town’s back yard . with a wine - making tradition that spans more than 300 years , the constantia valley and its surrounds is the oldest wine - producing region in the southern hemisphere , its picturesque farms still producing world class , award - winning wines .
one of the handful of farms in the constantia valley wine region , constantia uitsig is one of the farms that were created after former governor simon van der stel’s constantia was broken up into smaller estates after his death . the estate produces a host of award - winning white wines , as well as a great red blend . uitsig is also home to the recently opened open door restaurant and a bike park for cycling enthusiasts .
nestled beneath table mountain national park and commanding vistas of the constantiaberg and table mountain ranges lies constantia , the oldest wine - making region in the southern hemisphere . filled with heritage and landscapes of unsurpassed beauty , constantia is the perfect place to base yourself when visiting cape town , the mother city in south africa .
but all that changed recently with a visit to some of the hidden gems of the constantia wine route . . . which inspired me to visit a few more and discover their secret delights . . .
in 1885 groot constantia was purchased by the government of the cape of good hope and was used as an experimental wine and agricultural estate . following a disastrous fire in 1925 the house was extensively restored .
we cover everything to do with sa fine wine . wine magazine was published from october 1993 until september 2011 and now lives on in digital form as winemag . co . za .
great food with amazing views . . . perfect location to eat after a wine tour !
think the shire with a modern - day twist and you may come close to the boutique wine farm that is beau constantia . close , but not quite on the money , because chances are you have never experienced a wine tasting in a venue quite like it . a rolling green embankment is the…
the constantia wine tour is a leading wine touring company in cape town . we provide tours in the constantia valley , the origin of south african wines . we have a selection of tour options available which include premium tastings , private rooms , exclusive access high up onto the mountains that look over the vineyards , cellar tours , meeting the winemaker , sit down a la carte lunches and photographs taken throughout your day ! !
hugh johnson ' s modern encyclopaedia of wine , mitchell beazley , 1983 , p . 480 .
cape town is a favourite destination for wine connaisseurs from around the world , and some of the best and oldest wine farms in the region can be found right in the city’s back yard .
in the picturesque constantia wine valley , you’ll find cape town’s oldest and most beloved wine estate , groot constantia . it has a whole lot going for it including a beautiful estate , hundreds of years of history , wonderful food and of course the most incredible range of wines . what makes the estate really special is the unique experience it offers for its visitors , including an exquisite chocolate and wine pairing and a visitor route experience . have a look at the not - to - be - missed activities when visiting this estate :
paradiso is a family run guesthouse and self - catering cottage , offering guests friendly and personal service is set in a tranquil treed garden with sweeping views of the distant constantiaberg mountains , constantia valley and its wine farms .
learn more about our august history , winemaking philosophy , unique terroir and the people who bring klein constantia to life today .
you’ll find senhor prego at taste at simon’s , a new market at groot constantia . we love his pregos , too .
the constantia valley was made for trail junkies . the constantia green belts provide a number of relatively easy routes for runners . if you’re looking for more of a challenge , you can head up constantia nek for some tough climbs and single track . just make sure somebody knows where you are . and take a map ! you can find these at our visitor information centres .
although steenberg is the oldest private estate in the constantia valley , having been granted to free burghers hans and catharina ras , groot constantia is really its grande old dame . it was groot , or grand , constantia that put constantia on the international wine map , as well as being its stand - out estate for more than 300 years . i love to take guests there and make them walk from the old entrance gates down the oak - lined avenue to the main manor , with the old werf ( farmstead ) buildings flanking on the right and vineyards sweeping away to false bay to the left .
stopping off at groot constantia , eagles’ nest and beau constantia , there’s no better way to see the wine route than with cape town’s beloved red bus , the city sightseeing bus . with an informative audio guide in 15 languages , you’ll get clued up while marvelling at this picturesque neighbourhood of cape town as you hop on and off as you please .
this popular wine estate offers lovely views , delicious wine , and its famous 1 000 - strong duck parade . enjoy all of this , as well as a market - style brunch , every saturday .
while established wine destinations ( like stellenbosch , franschhoek and constantia ) remain the most popular destinations , there is an increasing demand to experience more than just the food and wine . visitors are requesting unique tours that allow them to meet producers and gain exclusive access to experiences outside the standard offering . and the statistics support this claim .
part of the popular primi piatti franchise , the constantia branch is a staple in the old village square at constantia village . serving pasta , pizzas , burgers and more , the food is wholesome and well - priced and the restaurant is very family friendly .
this constantia wine tour was an unbelievable one with good memories made with friends . we were taken around to many beautiful wine estates by blake gowar who shared his extensive knowledge of the delicious wines we tasted and lots of other interesting information . his warm and kind nature made our visit that much much more memorable . this is definitely a tour i would love to do again with family and friends . if you are looking for a wine tour where you are exposed to the beautiful vineyards of constantia with excellent tour guides , this is the tour you want to experience .
one of the oldest areas in cape town , and south africa , constantia is home to incredible wine farms , unrivalled natural beauty and some of the most renowned restaurants in town . see why locals and visitors love it so much :
going wine tasting is a charming way to spend a day or a weekend . it is so enjoyable , in fact , that wine tasting has become a vacation in itself . wine tourism has increased in the past 10 years and many wineries around the globe now provide exquisite tasting rooms with scenic vineyard views , wine tasting dinners , and tours of the vineyards and cellars . an oeno - experience , one might say .
dating back to 1685 and described as one of the world’s most beautiful wine estates , klein constantia is set amidst ancient trees on the upper foothills of the constantiaberg , with views across false bay . the perfect location for cool climate wines , klein constantia produces some of south africa’s top wines , including one of the world’s best natural sweet wines , vin de constance .
groot constantia is the oldest wine producing estate in south africa . when simon van der stel’s constantia was subdivided into three farms , and in 1777 hendrik cloete bought one of these farms on the neglected estate . cloete worked hard to restore the farm to its former glory and after his death in 1817 the farm was further divided between his two sons , with jacob pieter inheriting the lower portion of the farm , now known as groot ( big ) constantia , and his brother johan gerhard the upper portion , now known as klein ( little ) constantia . in the nearly 200 years since , every subsequent owner of the groot constantia contributed its success , with wines favoured by the likes of napoleon bonaparte along the way . today groot constantia produces an array of award winning whites and reds that ships around the world . the farm also includes two top class restaurants and a conference / events venue .
constantia valley surrounded with full of greens and grapes garden a fantastic place to visit . i must say one should visit this place during their lifetime . the courtesy shown by the people at the wine manufacturing place awesome and very great gesture .
land was granted to governor simon van der stel . he planted 10 , 000 vines , naming the farm after the voc ( dutch east india company ) ship , constantia . the original property comprised 763 hectares , stretching from the modern - day constantia to dieprivier .
situated on the forested southern slopes of table mountain and within the table mountain national park , this rustic luxurious 60 - acre lodge is just minutes away from cape town’s wonderful beaches , constantia wine lands and restaurants and boasts 22 self - catering cottages .
situated in the heart of the constantia suburb , constantia village has all the convenience of a mall , but its wide , open spacing creates the ambience of a village square . there are a number of high - quality restaurants and coffee shops , high - end boutiques and big - name shopping chains . whether you are looking for an intimate dinner for two or some retail therapy , you will be well served at constantia village .
the following two owners , carl georg wieser and his stepson jacobus van der spuij , respectively owned constantia from 1734 - 1759 and from 1759 - 1778 . wieser had a good knowledge of viticulture and enlarged the vineyards . van der spuij on the other hand did not trouble himself with wine making . he owned a slave who acted as cellar master and wine maker . in 1778 jan serrurier bought constantia from van der spuij , but eleven months later sold it to hendrik cloete , owner of the farm nooitgedacht near stellenbosch .
we have already mentioned the wine farms , but it deserves a second mention , a third , and a fourth… you get the idea . right on the city’s doorstep , the constantia valley is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious farms in the country .
just 30 minutes from cape town international airport and 20 minutes from the v & a waterfront , constantia valley truly is cape town ' s vineyard .
sweet luscious & excellent wine
r . percival , an account of the cape of good hope , london 1804 .
if you receive an unsatisfactory bottle , we will always replace , refund , or recommend another wine we think you’ll love – and there is no need to return the bottle to us . if you do not enjoy a bottle you ordered , simply get in touch with your local majestic wine store , let them know you did not enjoy this wine and our highly knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to replace the wine with something else we think you’ll love or refund the full amount to you .
ah tuscany ! chianti is the first word that comes to mind , the ever - pleasing red wine that pairs so perfectly with meats and pastas . amid the gently sloping hills of tuscany , filled with medieval houses and castles , are acres of grape vines with wineries open for tours and tastings . this is old world wine culture at its finest ; wine - makers still crush the grapes with their feet here , and wine is stored in long , vaulted basement cellars carved right out of the rock .
elysian fields
hugh johnson . the world atlas of wine , mitchell beazley , london , 1979 . p . 246 .
anwilka , our sister farm in stellenbosch , produces world - class red blends under the guidance of internationally acclaimed bordeaux wine experts .
south africa’s wine heritage starts here—in the lush valley of constantia where vineyards slope gently up the constantiaberg mountains and are fanned by sea breezes from false bay . the climate , soil , and cooling winds have played their part in the production of fine quality wines since the 17th century and the…
the selection of vineyards in cape town and its surrounds can be quite overwhelming , making it difficult for even a seasoned wine lover to know where to start . the guys at explore sideways offer tailor - made private wine tours with some of south africa’s top guides , and they’ll be more than happy to help you make the most of your next trip to cape town’s famous wine lands .
one of the oldest areas in cape town , and south africa , constantia is home to incredible wine farms , unrivalled natural beauty and some of the most renowned restaurants in town . see why locals and visitors love it so much : where to eat and make merry : restaurants and bars the…
van der stel was very keen to acquire a farm and in 1685 a piece of land of more than 2454 hectares was granted to him . he named it constantia and , probably in the same year , built a double - storey house on it . vegetables and fruit were grown on the farm , in addition to the practice of viticulture and the production of wine . the produce was supplied to ships which called at the cape . van der stel also specialized in cattle - breeding on his leased land . he died in 1712 . in 1716 , constantia was divided into three portions before being sold . two parts became known as bergvliet and klein constantia and the third part on which the van der stel house stood , became officially known as groot constantia during the mid - 19th century .
prefer something sweet ? - try our famous wine and chocolate pairing or finish your tasting experience with one of our mouthwatering new desserts .
we hope you enjoy the exciting list of fine values , rising stars and historic producers that populate wine spectator ’s 2015 top 100 .
this open - air market held at the kenilworth racecourse boasts more than 50 food , wine , beer , craft and clothing vendors .
in 1779 the portion of the estate including van der stel ' s cape dutch - style manor house was sold to the cloete family , who planted extensive vineyards and extended and improved the mansion by commissioning the architect louis michael thibault . the wine cellar was added by cloete in 1791 . the house remained in the possession of the cloete family until 1885 , during which period the estate became famous for its production of constantia dessert wine .
find out more about our elegant estate wines , kc range of easy - drinking wines , and icon wine
vin de constance
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enjoy the new visitor route experience where one ticket gives you entrance to the historic manor house museum , the original cloete cellar , a cellar tour , wine tasting and spiegalau crystal wine glass . the manor house is the original cape dutch homestead , beautifully preserved so you can look back in time . at the cloete cellar you’ll find a fascinating and unusual collection of historic wine and archeological equipment as you learn more about this area , the wine and the history of the estate . it’s an enthralling and unforgettable tour that aims to show , not tell .
the history of constantia from then on became the story of mainly three families . oloff bergh was the second owner of the farm . after his death in 1724 , his dynamic wife of slave descent anna de koningh , became the owner . she owned the farm until her death in 1734 . agriculture and viticulture continued on constantia during this period .
just outside of cape town is south africa ' s world - renown cape winelands , where fertile soil and a moderate climate enables growers to produce fine sauvignon blanc , chardonnay , cabernet sauvignon , shiraz , and pinot noir . south african wines have grown in popularity over the last decades , and the region is well - prepared for a wine - tasting holiday . visit groot constantia , one of the most famous and oldest wine farms in the region ; the wines here are stellar , and the views are breathtaking . other wine routes to visit are stellenbosch , paarl , and franschhoek . try a
located in close proximity to the area’s restaurants and with easy access to all major attractions , constantia cottages has been endorsed as highly recommended by the aa quality assured accommodation program .
the groot constantia wine and chocolate tasting is a truly unique experience that should be on every cape town bucket list as an experience that is not to be missed . not only is it unique in its presentation , but does a wonderful job in educating and highlighting characteristics of our favourite wines that we so often miss .
the constantia valley has an appeal that offers something of interest to everyone , from visiting the award - winning wine estates and restaurants , to an array of experiences such as picnics , festivals , tours and adrenaline adventure sports . the mountain ranges and greenbelts offer breathtaking photo opportunities with hiking , horse riding and mountain biking trails .
the 2015 top 100 emphasizes how much the wine world has changed since wine spectator put together its inaugural honor roll , in 1988 . that year , the top 10 counted three bordeauxs , four burgundies , two italian reds and one california cabernet . now , less than three decades later , outstanding wines from almost every corner of the globe compete with these historic leaders for attention . put simply , it’s a great time to be a wine lover .
nestled among the tygerberg hills , just a 20 - minute drive from cape town , lies the durbanville wine valley . the region consists of 12 wine estates each complemented by some of the best fine dining restaurants in cape town . durbanville’s signature cultivar is sauvignon blanc followed by cabernet sauvignon , merlot , shiraz and chardonnay . during the summertime , the region hosts several wine festivals where you can enjoy premium wines and delicious cuisine with family and friends .
constantia remained cloete property from 1778 - 1885 and the cloetes gave a new lease of life to the farm . hendrik cloete gave the farm a new look by having a new wine cellar built , situated at the back and on the same axis as the entrance to the farm and the manor house . he also had the original house adapted by structural changes such as adding gables , sash and new casement windows , and a higher and more pitched roof . cloete also expanded the outbuildings in front of the manor house . he improved the vineyards and introduced his own wine making methods to the farm . his wine became world famous .
the paarl wine route is the second oldest in the country and is known for its signature cultivar , shiraz , although their red and white blends are also highly regarded . an easy 40 - minute drive from cape town , the paarl wine route consists of 70 wine producers ranging from historic family - owned estates to larger cellars . apart from its wineries , paarl is also known for its craft breweries , brandy cellars , artisanal cheeses as well as olive and olive oil producers . like franschhoek , paarl is bordered by scenic mountain ranges and is the perfect location to enjoy cheese and wine underneath tall oak trees .
morgenster is a thriving olive and wine farm with a history dating back to 1711 . at just 35 minutes from cape town , this internationally acclaimed estate sits at the gateway to the cape winelands in somerset west . wine lovers and foodies , don’t miss the chance to taste award - winning bordeaux - style wines…
on - demand tourism : the research revealed that wine tourism is the top activity ( 83 % ) requested by tourists visiting the cape , which is 15 % more popular than culture activities and 44 % more popular than adventure activities . out of all food and wine activities requested , fine dining restaurants and guided wine tours were most popular . the research further revealed a shift towards a new type of luxury travel in which an overwhelming number of visitors ( 82 % ) seek out authentic and immersive experiences around food , wine , culture and spectacular scenery . a supporting trend shows that bookings for guided tours have risen in the last year with a focus on tailor - made itineraries and specialist guides with insider knowledge that go beyond just wine cultivar , origin and pairing advice .
groot constantia - a unique heritage wine estate offering historical tours of the manor house , to a busy day time restaurant under the oaks , large lawns for kids to run on and prepared picnic baskets to feast from . enjoy panoramic views across to false bay or enjoy some live music at simon ' s restaurant - there is something for everyone .
one of the best ways to take in the constantia valley is on horseback . there are a number of companies that offer outrides through the vineyards as well as pony rides for the kids .
constantia glen is happy to have added a selection of flammkuchen and delicious summer salads to our current repertoire of tasting experiences available at the tasting room . you may also enjoy one of our popular cheese
silvermist - located just over the rise at constantia nek , this vineyard straddles the neck of the mountain providing magnificent views in either direction - hout bay and constantia . certified organic by the bio - dynamic & organic certification authority , the natural fynbos is encouraged to grow amongst the vineyards alongside selected lupins and grains thus creating a rich biodiversity and ducks provide the pest control while fertilizing the vineyards !
take a step back in time with a guided tour through the cellar and learn more about this rich history while enjoying a chocolate and award winning wine pairing .
more significantly , it was the cape that produced the southern hemisphere ' s first great wine : constantia . simon van der stel ' s estate on the flank of table mountain , where several varieties of muscat flourished , was the source of a red that would soon be compared with some of the world ' s best dessert wines . if you like history , you can still visit the place where it was made . or better still , you can drink a ( white ) wine that is modelled on van der stel ' s creation . the luscious , abundantly aromatic , orange marmalade - scented 2004 vin de constance , klein constantia ( £25 per 50cl , 14 % , majestic ) remains one of the best sweet wines on the planet .
cradled in a secluded valley high up on the slopes of the constantia mountains , the farm originally served as a refreshment station for travellers on the mountain pass between wynberg and hout bay harbour . devastating fires destroyed most of the farm in 2000 , save for its historic buildings . it has since been turned into an esteemed wine estate , known for its award winning reds .
the oldest restaurant in cape town , constantia nek , has undergone some serious renovations by the harbour house group and now houses a harbour house restaurant and a la parada . the former serves fresh , tantalising , light meals with arresting views of the idyllic constantia valley , while the latter serves up some of the best spanish - inspired tapas in town . it’s the best of both worlds , with an unrivalled view !
the valley was the cradle of quality winemaking in south africa and the name constantia is linked with the most famous wines ever produced in this country . enjoyed by napoléon bonaparte and royalty in the 18th century .
wesgro , in partnership with explore sideways , has completed a survey with tour operators in the western cape to profile wine and food tourists and determine the sector’s main trends .
buitenverwachting - living up to it ' s name which means “beyond expectations” , this is a beautiful historical wine farm that was originally part of groot constantia . i love to take the trip to their tasting room as it takes you on a slow meander through vineyards , past paddocks and down an avenue of oaks . . . transporting you to another world in just a few minutes .
the future of the cape’s food and wine tourism : creating awareness amongst tour operators about fine dining and wine tasting experiences is therefore a crucial marketing tool to draw both foreign and local customers . the key takeaway for the future of food and wine tourism in the cape is that real , authentic experiences are more valuable than standard concepts of luxury . according to one operator , “luxury is more about experiences tailored to specific interests and having a truly inspiring , insightful tour rather than a fancy car and expensive restaurants . ”
the cellars - hohenort is ideally situated as a central point from which to experience the diversity of activities , including cape point , robben island , table mountain , kirstenbosch botanical gardens , the constantia valley wine route and the famous beaches of boulders and camps bay . all 48 rooms and suites boast panoramic views of the iconic mountain or over the 9 . 5 acres of beautifully manicured gardens .
this seaside market is a good place to enjoy the stunning views of the bay and table mountain while sipping a cold beer or glass of wine as the sun goes down .
when duggie jooste bought klein constantia in june 1980 , he and professor chris orffer , world - renowned authority on wine varieties , stood on the stoep of the homestead after dinner .
do you realise ,
said orffer ,
that in the 18th and 19th centuries only one truly great wine was ever made in the southern hemisphere , and do you know where it was made ?
where ?
asked duggie .
right here ,
said orffer excitedly ,
right here in this valley and this farm of yours is part of those vineyards .
we took a half day tour of the constantia wineries and it was very enjoyable . after the first winery we already had a buzz . they give you a spittoon if you don’t want to swallow the wine samples , but since we were not driving , we drank it all and it was a blast . highly recommended . there are full day tours , but i believe half day is plenty .
the target base : although the western cape attracts visitors from all over the world the tour operators indicated that visitors from the usa , canada , australia and europe show the most interest in wine and food tourism while relatively few visitors from africa pursue such tours . there is therefore a huge opportunity to expand the number of people participating in wine and food tourism .
one of the most well - known farms in the durbanville valley wine region , diemersdal has been producing wine for more than three centuries , originally under the watchful eye of captain diemer . in 1885 the louw family took over the farm and today , six generations later , the louws are still producing award - winning whites and reds for both the local and overseas markets .
set on one of the most renowned ( and picturesque ) wine estates in the country , this market has over 70 vendors selling a vast array of fresh produce , art and crafts .
the perfect way to spend a relaxed day with family and friends , this market’s unpretentious farm vibe is what makes it unique . in addition to a delicious variety of food stalls , an interesting selection of crafts , wine tastings , and entertainment for the kids , its location on one of the oldest and most picturesque wine estates in south africa make it a wonderful day out .
during this period they acted as wine supplier to the exiled french emperor napoleon bonaparte on st . helena . in 1823 jacob pieter bought the farm from his mother , and continued the highly established viticultural standards . during his ownership the farm officially became groot constantia . jacob pieter cloete died in 1875 and he was the last private owner of the farm . the farm remained in his estate and his son henry acted as farm manager . the vine disease phylloxera urged him to leave for europe to study methods for treatment , and during his absence his two sons were left in charge . henry returned in 1885 and it was decided to sell groot constantia by auction .
when bergh in turn died in 1724 , groot constantia was owned for a time by a freed slave , his wife . neither had been much interested in wine making , so the property was neglected . and so it remained until it was bought by wealthy stellenbosch wine farmer hendrick cloete in 1778 , when begins its golden years . cloete had the manor remodeled in the neo - classical old cape style by the outstanding architect - craftsman of the day , frenchman michel louis thibault , and added a large new cellar , the pediment with its bacchanalian bas reliefs sculpted by famous cape artist , german - born anton anreith .
in 1685 , during an annual visit to the cape , hendrik adriaan van rheede tot drakenstein granted the grounds of groot constantia to simon van der stel , the voc ( dutch east india company ) governor of the cape of good hope .
for your final stop , you will head up the mountainside to one of the highest tasting room in the constantia valley . you’ll finish your tour with a view across the bay all the way to the beginning of the helderberg mountain range .
working for him was anna de koningh , daughter of a freed slave angela van bengale , who married the commander of the cape town castle , captain olaf bergh . when the governor died , in 1712 , bergh bought the major portion of groot constantia , with the portions bergvliet and klein constantia going to pieter de meijer . but one incident occurred here in 1705 that throws some light on the controversial willem adriaan , son of simon who had succeeded his father as governor in 1699 .
night market at waldorf school constantia on the last friday of every month , not sure of times . i’m definitely favouriting this page . i’m always looking for new markets to check out , especially on a friday night . thanks for this ! 😀
dessert wines were first made on the constantia estate in the late 1660s and were celebrated in the literature of austen , dickens and baudelaire . produced in the oldest winemaking area in the western cape from hand harvested , shrivelled grapes . released after four years . fresh , floral muscat aromas with a hint of spice , and a rich , opulent palate of stone - fruits , nuts , vanilla , wood spices and honey . well balanced by crisp acidity with a long , succulent finish . this wine can age for up to twenty years , but if you can ' t resist it the wine is eminently drinkable now with tarte tatin or brûlée .
eagles’ nest is cradled in a secluded valley on the slopes of the constantia mountain range , forming part of the world heritage site , table mountain . the farm’s origins go back to when it was used as a refreshment station between the area now known as wynberg in the east , and the harbour of hout bay in the west . enjoy a leisurely afternoon of sipping on wine , under the tall trees , enjoying the relaxing sound of the babbling brook .
groot constantia has two remarkable restaurants on site : jonkershuis and simon’s . while the former serves decadent breakfasts and lunches next to the fire place or uner the amcient oak trees , the latter has relaxed al fresco or a la carte meals and special outdoor picnics .
stellenbosch is one of the most popular tourist destinations for wine tasting in the western cape . steeped in history , the district features some of the best examples of dutch architecture and is home to around 150 wine estates and producers . stellenbosch is known for the quality of its blended reds and produces wines from almost all the grape varieties . due to the vastness of the district , the stellenbosch wine route has been divided into five sub - routes , namely bottelary hills , greater simonsberg , helderberg , stellenbosch berg and stellenbosch valley . take advantage of the many scenic tours on offer and enjoy some of the best wines in the country .
nestled between majestic mountain ranges , this picturesque town is home to a variety of 300 - year - old wine estates and contemporary boutique wineries – many have their own superb restaurants on - site too . it all started 300 years ago when the french huguenots arrived in south africa , bringing with them their age - old wine and food culture . today franschhoek is known as the gourmet capital of south africa , boasting several award - winning restaurants and wine estates . franschhoek’s vineyards produce all the classic varieties as well as many unique blends . visit this magnificent town and enjoy luscious wines paired with world - class cuisine amid breathtaking scenery .