I have been engaged in the field of microfinance and micro-enterprise development for the last 8 years as a practitioner, technical advisor, trainer and researcher. Working with the poor started as an experiment when as a management intern working with Basix, a livelihood promotion institution in India, I was asked to design financial products for lending in watershed areas. I never knew then that working for the poor and poverty alleviation will turn into a passion for life. I am very excited to be part of the Value Initiative which is meant to help the large number of poor people pave their way out of poverty. I welcome you all to this SEEP facility and look forward to learn, interact and take this new community of practice to new heights.