Amani Ogbi, project officer for USAID Libyan Women's Economic Empowerment, inside our newest offices in Libya! Over two years, this project will provide training, mentoring, networking and access to financial assistance for 210 women entrepreneurs. Women who own small and medium enterprises will take their commercially viable ideas to the marketplace, create 700 jobs and contribute to the growth of the country’s non-oil private sector economy.
International Women's Month is coming to a close. Take a moment to think about the women in your life who have helped you become who you are today - whether it's a mother, a friend, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, or a co-worker. Thank them for being your inspiration and greatest support because as Eleanor Roosevelt once said "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
It's Random Acts of Kindness Week - take the time to do something nice for someone you know or better yet, someone you don't! Hold open a door, give someone a compliment, share your spare change with a person in need...whatever inspires you to reach out to someone else, we encourage you be kind because it catches on!
Wondering how you can make a difference during International Development Week? Enter our Time For Change video contest (www.timeforchange.tv) to capture why the world should care about this year's theme - women's economic empowerment. Deadline for entries is March 31!
Do you get confused by the term "international development"? While there is no universal definition because this field is always changing, this mind map should illustrate some of various faucets development incorporates.
This past year, YOU made it possible for MEDA to work in 56 countries with 227 partners to provide sustainable livelihoods for 18 million families. We would like to THANK YOU for YOUR support and we hope YOU will continue to support us as we create new business solutions to poverty in 2013.
We want to hear from you! Did you enjoy MEDA's 2012 Business as a Calling Convention in Niagara Falls? What excited you the most and what could we improve on? Share your opinions anonymously with this survey: https://s.zoomerang.com/s/MEDA2012Overall. Stay tuned for updates on next year's convention in Wichita!
Business as a Calling 2012 has launched! Convention registration is open and we are excited to meet all attendees in Niagara Falls on the 3rd floor of the Sheraton!
We had a great time presenting "Social Media for Social Justice" at the Anabaptist Communicator's Conference in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. If you aren't already, connect with us on the following networks...
We had a great time in Roseville last week talking about the sustainable work we do internationally with farmers at the International Plowing Match. Thank you to everyone who came out and we look forward to future opportunities where we can connect with the communities around us!
A shout-out to the Sunday school kids and leader Katie Spohn at Bellwood Mennonite Church in Milford, Nebraska, who raised $700 in support of MEDA's work with Pakistan milk producers - $200 over their goal! Their giving thermometer of milk cartons in the shape of a cross charted their progress. They also used a "milk shake" fundraiser after services to engage adults in their cause.
Snapshot from MEDA's YouthInvest Project, Morocco
Download more great photos like this at: http://www.meda.org/web/i-am-change-posters
Nepal - YouthSave
Ethiopian Farmer celebrating harvest! Happy Thanksgiving!
Beautiful Amish country - Lancaster, PA - taken during a tour at convention.
Ervin Stutzman speaking
LMHS Campus Chorale led by Marcy Hostetler singing at the Sunday morning session.
Madeline Bender, Soprano performing at MEDA convention
Hank the 'video guy' mixing it up... (Allan Sauder speaking on screen)
Veronica Herrera shares about Nicaragua at MEDA's Annual General Meeting.
Messiah College Jazz Ensemble playing to a full house!
