MEDA’s story began in the aftermath of World War II. Over 35,000 Mennonites fled from East Germany and Russia, with about 5,000 settling in Paraguay. Initially, the recent newcomers struggled to make a living in their new South American home. Many were skilled craftspeople and farmers eager to set up their businesses but lacked the necessary financial resources.
At first, development assistance efforts in Paraguay mainly helped establish schools and hospitals. Yet, while this assistance was essential, it was only a temporary solution. The newly settled Mennonites needed capital to support business growth. Over time, Mennonite businesspeople in North America provided their fellow Mennonites with long-term financial assistance, which enabled them to build permanent settlements in Paraguay.
On December 10th, 1953, a group of generous Mennonites met at the old Atlantic Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. They decided to form an impact investment group and pooled their resources to send financial support to Paraguay. From this historic meeting, MEDA was formed.