Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2020
Birthdays:
Wedding Anniversaries
Club Anniversaries
Business:
- State of the Region, Region Chair Karen Redman, January 28th, Doubletree by Hilton (former Holiday Inn) Kitchener – some tickets still available
- Soup Sisters – Jan. 28th, contact Brad Enns – still a few tickets available
- Curling – February 22 at Westmount Golf & Curling Club – contact Marc Engel for info and registrations
Other news:
- KW Trivia Challenge – Mac Graham is again this year spearheading this fun night March 6, 2020 at the Crowne Plaza. MC’d by Police Chief Brian Larkin. Contact Mac to regiser.
Guess the member
- Chris Ainsworth (who apparently doesn’t enjoy wine – we’ll have to check the Club’s bylaws – this may be a violation) stumped us all.
50/50
- Mac Graham, Graham Gardiner and Klara S. all struck out
Speaker:
Dean Shoemaker – Mennonite Economic Development Agency (MEDA) – Mircrocredit in Nicaragua
MEDA is a Christian-based trade association that was founded 65 years ago and whose purpose is to provide business solutions to poverty. Its goals are sustainability, creativity, innovation and accountability (human, financial and environmental). MEDA works with partners (trade associations and governments) in 28 countries worldwide. Projects are typically long-term in focus, generally taking 5 – 6 years to become sustainable.
In Nicaragua, 43% of the population lives below the poverty line. MEDA decided to begin supporting projects in Nicaragua beginning in 1990 with a $140,000 loan to MiCredito – a microcredit organization in Nicaragua. MiCredito doesn’t just lend funds – it works directly with the individuals receiving the loans to ensure the entrepreneurial ventures is viable and that they will have the ability to prosper and repay the loan. MiCredito has about 100 employees and the average loan is around $1,000. The loans not only aid the recipient, but they also create employment for other Nicaraguans. Dean sited one case where employees were able to earn $12 per day, which is excellent for the average Nicaraguan.
MEDA at times partners with Global Affairs Canada in supporting their projects. Often GAC will provide the funding based on a match from MEDA, where by GAC will provide 80% of the funding and MEDA 20%.
Dean gave several examples of successful projects in Nicaragua, such as a fruit dehydrating business (SolSimple) that has 600 farmers involved and exports its products.
Martin Bender, from the Grand River Rotary Club joined Dean and described how he and other Rotarians and friends have been building homes in Nicaragua. While the team ran into a few road blocks initially, they’ve managed to build four concrete block homes in Ranchero, a particularly poor region of Nicaragua.
Tim Bradich thanked both Dean and Martin for and interesting and informative presentation, and presented Dean with a Gift of Sight certificate, which he appreciated very much.
