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In late May, THP-India officially launched SUGRAMA, a federation of 5,000 elected women representatives in Karnataka. These women leaders will now have a unified platform from which to speak, and the strength and support that comes from that solidarity.

Meet Elizabeth Kalimbuka, one of THP's specialized HIV/AIDS animators who has built up a bustling business. Elizabeth is a shining star in her community and a great example of the importance of supporting HIV-positive community members.

Comfort Kissiwaa has been actively involved in helping to shape life in her community. She says her association with THP has helped to change her from a timid and shy person to an outspoken person, full of confidence and drive.

An example of the benefits education and a giving spirit, Dalimba Majhi has succesfully run in local elections. She is now a widely respected as a community health activist and a strong proponent of girls' education.

A young Tztoztil woman used to wonder why it was that men in her community thought that they were right, and women always wrong. As she grew up and joined THP workshops for women, she learned that anything is possible and has surrounded herself with people who respect women's abilities and ambitions.

Evelin Acuna is an indigenous leader that believes that training, education and information about indigenous rights strengthens her community and enhances self-esteem.

Raquel Hernández has learned that leadership begins by liberating oneself. She is now mobilizing her community to earn income for a community savings fund to improve their health clinic.

Lola Bellido's rise as a community leader began with developing her own core self-esteem. Now, she helps other women cultivate their own leadership.

Mukama Hajira has seen her enterprising efforts grow since joining THP in 2003, and she is now putting her children through school, diversifying her income and chairing the Village Loan Committee.

A natural leader, Pene Diarra has been critical to improving access to medical services at Dahra Epicenter. She leads a large women's organization and set up a health mutual in her community.

Caetano Malhaule is the President of Chokwe Epicenter Committee and is at the center of improving his community. He has mobilized other members of the community to fix the irrigation system at the epicenter.

After Yabré Belemgnégré participated in THP-Burkina workshops, she learned that development requires preparedness including a vision, a commitment and due actions. Yabré says, "If anything has to be done in our villages, it will have to be initiated and sustained by us, the local population, first and above all."

Anagonou Hounzavi started with a dream two years ago, and thanks to planning, hard work, and a training program through THP, he has built a successful chicken farm starting with just six chicks in 2007. He is now expanding into rabbit breeding while supporting his family and proudly continues to train others on chicken farming.

THP-India won a grant for the state of Madhya Pradesh. Federations of elected women were strengthened. And, over 30 participating organizations concurred that THP should maintain its role as facilitator and secretariat for the National Platform to Promote Decentralisation (NPPD).

THP-Bangladesh made a notable impact on increasing transparency for recent elections with a large awareness campaign. Along with the promotion of good governance, grassroots mobilization and empowerment of women were prioritized during this period.

The work of THP-Uganda was acclaimed by an independent, external consulting firm, who undertook a pro bono impact assessment, which praised the organization's high-impact, low-cost strategies. Trainings continued with volunteers, animators and trainers of trainers, and access to health services increased.

Two epicenter buildings, Dinguiraye and Ndereppe, have been completed and stocked in the past six months, and microfinance loans disbursed to multiple groups and thousands of individuals. The Women's Empowerment Program (WEP), launched in November 2008, has been busy training volunteers and trainers.

Progress continues to be made in building food stockpiles and providing literacy classes and health services through the epicenters. THP-Mozambique continues to build its partnerships with the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health and other local administrations.

This has been an exciting period of expansion and innovation for Malawi, with a new pilot microfinance program for people with HIV/AIDS, who tend to be discriminated against in terms of credit loans, and growing partnerships with NGOs and various government ministries.

As part of the scale-up program, the construction of eight new epicenter buildings is expected to be completed in June. More than 20,000 people were trained in THP Vision, Commitment and Action Workshops over the last six months.