Africa
Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Kenya

Asia

Philippines, Cambodia, Laos

Europe

Romania

Latin America

Nicaragua, Haiti, Ecuador, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela

North America

United States

 

Africa
Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Kenya

Partners in Liberia

Partners Worldwide is active in Liberia through the dynamic relationship of Madison Square CRC congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. The primary focus is the training, capacity building, and growth of local business initiatives. Over 90 businesses have been assisted and are currently being mentored. Bob and Renita Reed are the in-country affiliates who spearhead the work in Monrovia.  Please check out their blog site at www.reedsinliberia.blogspot.com.

Partners in Malawi

Christian Entrepreneurs Association of Malawi (CHREAM)
CHREAM utilizes small and medium-sized businesses and professional people to eliminate poverty and advance the Kingdom of God. Through their calling and ordination in the market place, they are addressing the economic and spiritual needs of Malawi’s Christian Entrepreneurs.

Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F)
This project involves over 100 farmers and 400 businesses in growing and developing their skills to increase business and productivity in the agricultural sector. Farmers are improving farming techniques through mentoring and are addressing water management through irrigation systems.

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Partners in Nigeria

Water Wins
This work is exciting, integrated with community development, and has high impact. Throughout the past few years, there have been a total of 72 boreholes drilled, serving 59 communities with about 1,160 households for a total population in excess of 37,915 people. This is one of Partners best examples of finding skilled laypeople partnering in ways that addresses issues of poverty with business solutions. Steve Buer Well Drilling out of Caledonia, Michigan, in cooperation with an affiliate group out of Zeeland, Michigan—headed by Doug Tubergen—plan, encourage, and make annual trips to bring more clean water to the people of Nigeria. Carolyn Wynstra from Lynden, WA is also engaging 20 congregations to support this work. Please check out www.waterwins.com for more information.

Partners for Christian Empowerment in Nigeria (PCEN)
There are five active chapters within PCEN with 148 business members. Several have been active since 2003. In 2006 training for the structure, policies, procedures, and board members was implemented. We are developing a personal business profile for each business including an action plan, a stewardship goal, and a mentorship component. 

Jim Veltkamp, along with some of his colleagues from Denver, Colorado, has supported the affiliate work. Pete Lanser, as overall team leader for Nigeria, has been a key player in building relationships and developing long-term strategies. Impact stories coming from Nigeria have been very impressive. One business affiliate in Takum has provided 56 scholarships to students from poor families.

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Partners in Uganda

Uganda Affiliate
Partners Worldwide is establishing partnerships with two local affiliates of business and professional people in Uganda. These groups are partnered with North American counterparts to provide business consultation to the group and individual members. The affiliates are organizing individual small and medium businesses and enabling them to grow and develop professionally, spiritually and in stewardship. The establishment of Uganda affiliates will help members to more effectively collaborate, exchange ideas/skills, mentor younger entrepreneurs, and network with other businesspeople locally, regionally and internationally.

Ox Plows for Former Conflict Zones
Due to conflict situations in the past, most farmers in many parts of Northern Uganda have lost their most valuable assets. One of the most valuable is oxen plows and the oxen to pull them. This project involves over 40 farmers. Each farmer is receiving one ox and will pair up with a neighbor to receive a plow. The oxen have been given on a loan basis and are being paid back with a small interest rate after three harvest periods. The farmers are receiving additional training on improved planting, high-yielding seed crops, and crop maintenance and storage techniques. It is anticipated that the farmers will be able to effectively increase their yields by over 200%.

Amaranth Grain Initiative
Amaranth is a unique plant that has an ability to thrive in very harsh growing conditions.  A small group of farmers and an amaranth processor are working to grow and market amaranth in Uganda. They are partnered with a group of farmers from North America to grow this industry and provide income for the farmers, jobs in processing, and provide a nutritious food supplement for the local people.

Coffee Cooperative
Partners Worldwide is assisting a group of coffee farmers in Nebbi of the west Nile region. About 80 coffee farmers are in the process of mobilizing to form a cooperative. The purpose in forming a cooperative is to help them market their coffee and have more control over the process.

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Partners in Zambia

Christian Businesses with Integrity in Chipata, Zambia (CBI)
CBI’s mission is to help Christian businesspeople spiritually and to better interact with other businesses and neighbors through Christian business principles. The CBI group was initiated by five businesspeople in Chipata, Zambia in 2001. They came together using the guidelines of Partners Worldwide to set up their organization. They conduct training and mentoring for their members in areas such as accounting, marketing, budgeting, and leadership. 

Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F)
Farmers in Zambia are working together with farmers from Sunnyside, Washington, to improve the productivity of their farms. They are improving farming techniques such as crop rotation and the introduction of new varieties of soil-enriching plants and crops. In addition, training is provided to local farmers to insure that they improve their skills over the long term and have confidence in their abilities to change traditional methods of farming. The end result will be an adequate supply of food for their families and excess to sell in the local market.

The primary issue at this time is the management of the water resources. The rains come twice a year and on an irregular basis. Farmers have to develop methods of extending the growing season and having water throughout the growing season. This will involve the development of surface water collection and storage facilities and the implementation of proper irrigation techniques. Continued training and consultation will be necessary for the next few years.

Christian Businesses with Integrity in Lusaka, Zambia (CBI)
This group of Christian businesspeople has been built a similar structure and under the guidance of the Christian Businesses with Integrity group in Chipata, Zambia. They have 54 current members, with 9 members currently servicing loans. They organized and implemented a savings and loan program and began making loans in April of 2005. At this time there is not a corresponding North American business affiliate for this group.

Villages of Hope
The Villages of Hope partnership is training young adult (18-25 years) orphans in commercial conservation farming and entrepreneurship, while being brought into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Graduates will gain ownership of their own land. Over 50 orphans have already been employed, providing sustainable income for over 120 additional orphans in their care. The Villages of Hope is one of the largest employers in the area, and is a catalyst for economic empowerment of over 300 families.

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Partners in South Africa

Investments for Africa (IFA)
IFA is a program designed to assist small-business owners, who were previously disadvantaged, to grow successful businesses by assisting them with access to credit and providing business mentoring. The program provides loan guarantees and mentoring. Investments for Africa envisions an economic environment where all people, who have the desire, the ideas, and the drive necessary to become business entrepreneurs, have equal access to capital markets.

Christian Entrepreneurs Savings & Credit Society
Currently, there are 3 affiliates in South Africa that have begun a savings and loan program. The affiliates are located in the Gauteng province, Giyani, and Kgautswane. IFA-Christian Entrepreneurs Savings and Credit Society works to further actual business growth of its members by offering business counseling on business start-up and growth, mentoring, and technical training in processing and manufacturing for value addition. Long term loans with a grace period are extended to encourage members to venture into processing and manufacturing. The affiliate also uses a data bank for possible networking among members. In promoting members’ business growth, IFA-Christian Entrepreneurs Savings and Credit Society hopes to lessen the unemployment and poverty levels of all South Africans.

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Partners in Senegal

Kosam Joloff Dairy Herders
The purpose of this project is to assist the Pulaar women to grow their milk-processing business whereby they can earn enough income to support their families with basic food and health needs. The project aims to provide enough income for the families so that they are able to send their children to school, as well as providing an economic stimulus for the community.

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Partners in Tanzania

Hope Mission of Development for the Disabled (HOMIDID)
HOMIDID is a self-help organization run by the physically handicapped. HOMIDID has 707 members spread out into eleven centers in the city of Dar-es-Salaam and neighboring Coast region. Their programs help the handicapped to gain self-worth, self-confidence and become self-sufficient through skill development and operation of small businesses.

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Partners in Kenya

Full-Scale Business Trust (FBT)
FBT is a savings and loan organization in the Mombassa area of Kenya which seeks to improve small and medium-size businesses and create employment. FBT has a membership of over 700 businesspeople, and creates an avenue for business owners to grow their businesses by the provision of loans, mentoring, networking, and encouragement.

Kiberia Savings and Credit Initiative (KSCI)
KSCI offers loans to the micro-business owners of Kibera slum, near Nairobi, Kenya. The goal of KSCI is to share the love of Christ with entrepreneurs, create jobs and income opportunities for the poor in Kibera. Members, in groups of five or ten, guarantee each others' loan and use savings as security.

New Horizons Business Group
New Horizon Business Group is located in Eldoret, Kenya. The business group that is being established will share the vision and mission of Partners Worldwide, sharing the love of Christ, growing businesses, creating jobs and income opportunities for the unemployed poor in Kenya.

Christian Entrepreneurs Savings and Credit Society (CHESS)
CHESS is a savings and loan organization based in Kiambu, Kenya. CHESS offers matching loan funds, networking and mentoring. Over 500 new jobs have been created since its inception, and is assisting over 300 small-business owners improve their products and services.

Kenya Investment Trust (KIT)
KIT offers loans and professional mentorship to small and medium businesses. These efforts promote the creation of jobs and provide income opportunities for the unemployed poor in Kenya, as well as supporting the Kenyan government's intent to strengthen the economy. KIT has over 20 members in their organization.

Heritage of Faith Orphanage
The vision of Heritage of Faith and Hope Children Rehabilitation Centre is to accommodate as many street children and orphans as possible within the community. This orphanage is teaching them to live by Christian values and offers them education. The Heritage of Faith orphanage also welcomes children of HIV/AIDS victims.

Reformed Institute of Theological Training (RITT)
The purpose of this project is to increase the capability of RITT to provide ordained pastors for their denomination. An additional goal is to provide training in improved agricultural techniques for spouses who accompany their husbands. This combination of pastors and trained spouses will meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the congregations.

Computer Training Centers
Nine computer training centers in conjunction with Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) have been set up where people can come to learn keyboarding and computer skills for a fee which is less than a commercial school charges. The partner organization is able to have an income-generating project which is self-sustaining. Now many people can take courses to learn keyboarding and computer applications. As a result, many young people have been able to find employment.

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Asia
Philippines, Cambodia, Laos

Partners in Philippines

Evangelical Business Entrepreneurs for Social Transformation (EBEST)
The business affiliate called EBEST is providing Christian fellowship, mentoring relationships, as well as access to capital for small businesses. This is a growing partnership that continues to bring transformation to hundreds of individuals through job creation, mentoring, and access to capital.

Partners in Cambodia

Partners Worldwide is in the process of initiating a new business partnership in Phnom Pehn with existing businesspeople working in “business as mission.”

Partners in Laos

Animal Husbandry in Laos
Several members of Partners Worldwide have begun communicating with an Animal Husbandry Project in southern Laos. It has been established to provide 1,200 piglets and one million Tilapia annually to sell to the local farmers to raise for food and income. This Partners Worldwide network is providing technical advice and mentoring via the Internet to expand this operation.

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Europe
Romania

Partners in Romania

Barlad Business Affiliate
This partnership provides business consultation to a group of members. The objective of the affiliate is to organize these individuals to enable them to grow and develop professionally, spiritually, and in stewardship. Through this growth, the members will provide economic development, social reconciliation, and leadership in their community. The establishment of a Romanian affiliate of Partners Worldwide will help members to more effectively collaborate, exchange ideas/skills, mentor younger entrepreneurs, and network with other businesspeople locally and internationally.

Substance Abuse and Training, Bonus Pastor
In Romania, substance abuse is a major issue in the country. Bonus Pastors is addressing a portion of this issue. A small farm and dairy have been established to make this project self sustaining.

The purpose of this project is to provide a source of revenue for the addiction counseling that the Bonus Pastor organization provides. Substance abuse is at a high rate in Romania, and this affects all aspects of the society. Family structures are deteriorating and individuals are unable to attain and retain jobs, so the economic impacts are substantial. Until the issue of substance abuse is addressed, other interventions will have difficulty succeeding.

The issue of this project is returning individuals to a life style that is free of substance abuse. One organization that is aggressively addressing this issue is the Bonus Pastor organization.

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Latin America
Nicaragua, Haiti, Ecuador, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela

Nicaragua

Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F)
Because many in Nicaragua are not privileged to own their own land they are forced to rent land or work for larger farmers. Farmers in Iowa understand the importance of owning land and the stability and security that comes with it. As a result, they started a Farmer-to-Farmer partnership and are purchasing large tracts of land in rural Nicaragua, subdividing it, and selling it to landless farmers. By addressing the problem of farmers with “no land and no capital,” the partnership has grown to 54 thriving farms on 260 acres.

Now, the farmers are growing high value crops, exporting coffee, have put in water systems for their communities and are sending their children to school. Each year for the past four years the Iowa farmers have returned to work along side these new land owners, encouraging them in their shared language—a mutual love for the land.

Business-to-Business (B2B)
A group of Christian businesspeople from Michigan and Illinois have developed a partnership with NCN (Nicaraguan Christian Businesses) in Managua, Nicaragua. These two affiliates share a vision for growing businesses in Nicaragua that reflect the values of Christ. Through individual and group business mentoring together with access to capital, these businesspeople are working together to meet needs by creating jobs in Nicaragua.

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Haiti

Haitian Partners for Christian Development
This group of about 50 Christian business and professional people in Port-au-Prince is committed to supporting each other and developing Christian business groups in cities all over Haiti. This mutual support is crucial since living in Haiti and being in business is especially difficult. In addition to developing these new affiliates, HPCD has also established a business incubator in Port-au-Prince where small businesses can grow while they share the costs of electricity, water, security and office equipment.

Jerusalem S.A.
A business affiliate from Brookfield, Wisconsin has established a partnership with Jerusalem, S.A., a business group in Gonaives, Haiti that manages a number of different businesses.  Their latest business is a block-making factory that employs 30 people.  The group in Wisconsin provides business mentoring and training for the management of the Haiti group.

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Ecuador

Ecuador Partners for Christian Development (EPCD)
Business people from Michigan, California, and Ontario have come together to walk alongside a non-profit Christian organization based in Quito, Ecuador called Ecuador Partners for Christian Development (EPCD). Working together, they currently support 16 businesses through the EPCD revolving loan fund and many more through business and agricultural training. The vision of this partnership is to transform communities and promote reconciliation between the rich and poor populations in Ecuador, through small and medium business development, based on biblical principles and Christian values.

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Honduras –

Diaconia Nacional
This group is the social outreach arm of The Christian Reformed Church of Honduras. At this point in time the North American Affiliate of Partners Worldwide from Pella, Iowa, is walking alongside the income generation program of Diaconia Nacional, which has established credit unions in the areas where there are Christian Reformed churches. These credit unions are establishing a culture of saving by requiring their members to regularly save before receiving loans. Partners Worldwide is seeking to build on this foundation by actively working with women seeking to grow their businesses.

Stewardship of Christian Ministries (SCM)
Stewardship of Christian Ministries (Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomia) works in Nueva Suyapa, an impoverished neighborhood outside of Tegucigalpa. For many years SCM has had community development programs in Nueva Suyapa, in the areas of education, healthcare, youth development and micro-credit. The North American Affiliate of Partners Worldwide from Pella, Iowa, has come alongside SCM to provide mentoring and support to the credit program, in order to help support some of the small and medium businesses that have grown out of the micro-credit program.  www.mcmhn.org

Christian Business Affiliate
A group of successful businesspeople from Tegucigalpa have come together to support and mentor the small and medium businesses in Nueva Suyapa. Working with Stewardship of Christian Ministries (SCM), they have held workshops and training sessions for the business involved in the SCM credit program. They have also done one on one mentoring with several of the local businesses. The Christian Business Affiliate has also partnered with the North American Affiliate of Partners Worldwide from Pella, Iowa, for mentoring, encouragement and prayer support as they work in the poverty stricken area of Nueva Suyapa.

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El Salvador

Christian Association for Development (ACD)
The North American affiliate of Partners Worldwide from Tucson, Arizona has partnered with ACD (Christian Association for Development) a group of Christian businesspeople from San Salvador, El Salvador. Working together they provide mentoring, guidance, and capital for small and medium businesses. The partnership has a vision of mutual transformation as well as promoting the growth of Christian businesses in El Salvador.

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Venezuela

ASOCRI Building for Christ’s Kingdom
This project is to provide affordable housing to low and medium-income households. This project is being implemented to focus on three objectives: First, to create a Christian business that will construct affordable houses in the city of Ordaz. Second, this will be done on a for-profit basis, with the profit being used to provide funds for evangelism in the surrounding rural areas. Third, this project will include the construction and operation of Family Attention Centers to provide training and resources for social, economic, and spiritual issues.

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North America
United States

Partners Worldwide has a small, yet growing, ministry of businesspeople involved in supporting each other and addressing poverty and unemployment in North American communities. In New Mexico, successful business-to-business mentoring relationships are creating businesses and jobs that are supporting families and transforming lives. In Michigan, entrepreneurs are coming together to see how to support each other, to mentor one another, and grow in “faith, ministry, and stewardship.”

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