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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Partners Worldwide. All Rights Reserved.
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