That’s a tough question! There are so many exciting aspects of this wonderful organization – our members serving their communities in their own workplaces; our committed staff always willing to go the extra mile; innovative business solutions to poverty so much in demand from our partners around the world; clients repeatedly telling us that MEDA’s programs have given them and their families new hope; opportunities in life; and much more.

However, I would like to highlight something that on the surface appears more mundane – our strategic planning process. This year we will finalize our strategy for the next three years. Why is that exciting – except perhaps for planning wonks? Because we have already identified six strategic directions that will open vast new opportunities for us to serve the poor around the world.

Let me highlight three:

MEDA will expand programming in the Business of Health

We are developing and promoting business partnerships and approaches that get health products to the poor – especially in rural Africa. Building on a successful program in Tanzania that got more than a million insecticide treated mosquito nets into the hands of pregnant women, we believe there are opportunities to develop similar distribution strategies for micronutrients (child health), HIV/AIDS drugs and additional malaria prevention.

MEDA will grow the Sarona Risk Capital Fund by $10 million

We are building on our long history of investing directly with partners around the world, creating viable businesses that serve the poor and making them attractive to other sources of investment. We now have a chance to provide early stage investment capital to microfinance banks in a number of countries which requires that we triple our current pool of risk capital. We are excited to offer this opportunity to invest in the poor through donations and planned giving.

MEDA will develop tools and products for post-disaster business recovery

We are working with Mennonite Disaster Service and Mennonite Central Committee to assist in longer-term economic recovery in the areas of the U.S. affected by Hurricane Katrina. Similar opportunities may exist in tsunami zones and other post-disaster areas around the world. MEDA will seek partnerships with relief agencies to deliver our specialty – long-term sustainable economic recovery.

I hope that as we roll out programs in these and other areas, you will have a chance to participate with us and share in the excitement!

Allan Sauder, President