My connection with MEDA goes back to before I was born. My grandfather Erie Sauder
was one of the founding members of MEDA and was very involved in its first project in
Paraguay. While growing up, I had the pleasure of hearing many of Erie's stories about
how MEDA helped the Mennonite refugees and native Indians get the loans and
equipment that they needed to start their own businesses in the barren central region of
Paraguay called the Chaco (translated as the "green hell").
He told stories of them starting a dairy, a shoe factory, a tannery and a bank. From
hearing Erie's stories, I became interested in learning more. In fact, I promised Erie on
his deathbed that I would try to get to Paraguay to see first hand the work that was done
there.
With MEDA's help, I was able to fulfill this promise in 2000. I traveled with my wife
Ezzie and my parents Myrl and Freida on a MEDA tour to Paraguay. There we saw first
hand the incredible impact that MEDA had on the lives of the Mennonite refugees and
native Indians.
The best example of this impact was the little Sarona dairy. Started in the 50's, it has
evolved into multiple dairies today and now over 50% of the milk sold in Paraguay
comes from this one-time barren Chaco region. In fact, an offshoot of the dairy industry
has been raising beef cattle. Today, the beef cattle business in the Chaco is even bigger
and more profitable than the original dairy business.
More evidence of the progress was the fact that the Mennonite refugees have transitioned
from needing help to helping the native Indians in the surrounding areas. They were able
to build and support schools and hospitals for the natives as well. In a matter of 40 years,
the early refugees went from struggling to survive to setting up their own MEDA
organization, which now helps others in Paraguay and around the world.
Paraguay is the perfect example of how MEDA works and what kind of incredible impact
this organization can have when it helps people help themselves. There are many good
organizations that help people in need with emergency support and supplies, but MEDA
is one of the few organizations that focuses on the long term needs by helping people get
the training, financial resources, and advice needed to become self sufficient. Seeing
these amazing results in Paraguay solidified my support of MEDA and their approach to
addressing human needs through economic development.
Dan and Ezzie live in Wauseon Ohio and have 3 kids Daniel (10), Andrew (8) and
Elizabeth (7). Dan Sauder serves as the VP of Engineering for the Sauder Woodworking
Co. in Archbold, Ohio. Sauder Woodworking is a privately owned family business that is
currently into the 3rd generation of management and ownership. The various Sauder
businesses produce RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) furniture, case good furniture, worship
seating, and university housing seating. They are the largest RTA furniture and church
pew manufacturer in North America.
