The first group of 25 candidates for the microfinance program in Ecuador has graduated. The next phase of training, technical workshops, will be conducted for this group through the month of September, in different locations depending on the skills to be learned.  Also, on August 27 the graduates will be receiving two presentations on human rights, with particular focus on the rights of women. A second group of 25 will begin their training soon.  Nearly 500 applied but only 100 were selected--who will all go through a similar program.