From Amish settlement to standing “O” at MEDA convention

Keynote speaker Joyce Bontrager Lehman responds to questions during a Nov 5 breakfast Q&A moderated by Wilmer Martin of TourMagination at Mennonite Economic Development Associates’ convention in Lancaster, PA. The annual event Nov 3-6 attracted more than 700 MEDA members and supporters.LANCASTER, Pa – More than 700 MEDA convention-goers here were entranced Nov 4 as Joyce Bontrager Lehman recounted her journey from an idyllic childhood in the Amish settlement of Kalona, Iowa, to international development work in Kabul, Afghanistan and beyond.

Bontrager Lehman built on the convention theme, Enduring Values: Lasting Impact. She credits her mother’s influence in persuading her father to allow her to go to college, which opened the door to an early career in teaching before becoming an accountant.

A casual conversation with friends brought her to MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates).  “It’s fair to say that casual conversation changed my life, and the opportunity that grew out of it cannot be overstated,” said Bontrager Lehman. She joined MEDA first as a member, then on the board of directors, and a few years later, on staff.  She is now a program officer with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

MEDA’s impact – not only on the 20 million families served last year, but on its staff, too – was underscored by MEDA vice president of financial services Julie Redfern and by Veronica Herrera, CEO of MiCredito, MEDA’s microfinance partner in Nicaragua, at the association’s annual general meeting the following morning.

“My 15 years at MEDA have profoundly shaped my life,” said Redfern. “I ‘grew up’ at MEDA … influenced by people known for their generosity, support, friendship and professional guidance.” She added, “I learned about giving from a poor woman in Lesotho who shared her scant lunch with me. When I visited clients and staff in Haiti shortly after the earthquake, I saw faith and hope from a new perspective. And from Afghan women microfinance clients, I learned strength.”

Redfern introduced long-time colleague Herrera, who credits MEDA for not only helping her personally and professionally, but also her countrymen in Nicaragua, the second-poorest country in the world after Haiti.

“MEDA has taught me many values, as well as the passion to serve the most needy people,” said Herrera. The daughter of poor farmers who barely had money to buy her one pair of shoes a year, she credits MEDA for “the opportunity to provide my children a better education that I had.

“MEDA has impacted Nicaragua by bringing financial services to 20,000 micro entrepreneurs in rural areas. MEDA is one of the most reputable and prestigious organizations due to its strong commitment in Nicaragua and its deep integrity, pacifist beliefs and human values.”

President Allan Sauder outlined the enduring values that have helped MEDA succeed and grow exponentially since 1953, including:
•    “an unwavering commitment to our mission,
•    love and respect for our clients and for each other,
•    faith that we are doing the right thing,
•    trust created by practicing integrity in all that we do, and,
•    forgiveness of ourselves and others when things don’t go according to plan.”

Sauder credited MEDA supporters’ donations for the ability to help more than 20 million families around the world live healthier, more economically sustainable lives last year, including:
•    12 million homes in rural Tanzania that now have mosquito nets and better health;
•    6.5 million households with better access to financial services, jobs and other products through MEDA’s Sarona Asset Management investments, and,
•    1.5 million farmers and entrepreneurs earning better incomes through training, access to markets and financial services provided through partnership with other organizations.

With $3 million in private contributions from individual donors last year, Sauder noted, for every dollar, MEDA was able to change the lives of six families.