MEDA News
McGill's Faculty of Education and the Institute of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies have joined the lead partner, Dalhousie University, to embark on a 6-year, $18 million project to help Ethiopia enhance their colleges' Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) programs. Key to McGill's involvement in the project will be to foster and support gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness.
Source: "A Reflection Upon Winning Canada's 2014 Social Finance Awards" by Jason Dudek, Chairman & Chief Financial Officer, Mountain Lion Agriculture on SocialFinance.ca
What does winning Canada's 2014 Social Finance Awards alongside MEDA mean to Mountain Lion Agriculture? We feel deeply honoured by this recognition of our work – the field of nominees was excellent, a testament to the strength of Canada's growing impact investment and business sector. The award greatly bolstered the morale of our staff but is also a deeper recognition of the rising, demonstrable efficacy of impact investment and business in tackling the toughest problems with resilient, sustainable solutions.
Source: "Chris Steingart builds websites and life" by Dave Rogalsky in the Canadian Mennonite (In print)
Late last year, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) presented its inaugural 20 under 35: Young Professionals Changing the World Awards, honouring these young adults from Canada and the U.S. for their "faith, entrepreneurial spirit and service" Ethan Eshbach, coordinator of engagement initiatives for MEDA, explains, "20 under 35 connects the values behind MEDA's work around the world to those of young professionals here in North America. From entrepreneurs to business professionals to community advocates to church leaders, we have a very impressive mix" Over the next few issues, Canadian Mennonite will be featuring profiles of all six of the Canadian winners, fivefrom Ontario and one from British Columbia.
Source: "This Firm Keeps Capital Flowing to Micro-Entrepreneurs" by Jessica Pothering on the Entrepreneur
The global financial crisis didn't dent the demand for loans from small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs around the world. But it sure whacked the supply of capital available to lend to them.
Source: "Canada-Israel Relationship Extends to Development in Ukraine" on the Israel Diplomatic Network Embassy of Israel in Canada
Last month in Kiev, on February 25th, Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support a Canadian funded agriculture project in Ukraine. The signing was witnessed by Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mr. Oleksiy Pavlenko. Working together, the governments of Canada and Israel will assist farmers and small and medium entrepreneurs in the framework of the "Ukraine Horticulture Business Development Project (UHBDP)."
Source: "Every Day People In Concert On Sunny Slope Farm" on the Sunny Slope Farm website
On Sunny Slope Farm, a renowned event venue located in the Shenandoah Valley, will host a fundraiser for MEDA—Mennonite Economic Development Associates. The event, which will be open to the public and take place on Friday April 17th from 5 – 10 p.m., will feature music, beer and wine tastings, door prizes and food trucks. Proceeds from the festival will support women farmers and entrepreneurs in Ghana through MEDA's "Bike to GROW" volunteer initiative.
Source: "Biking across Canada to empower Ghanian women (VIDEO)" in Christian Week (Photo Soumei Baba (Flickr CC))
Former MEDA interns helping women get out of poverty
Sarah French and Mary Fehr were hugely impacted during their time in Nicaragua and Tanzania working with MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) and their efforts helping women live healthier lives. Now they want to make an impact themselves. Together they embark on a four-month bike ride across Canada to raise $150, 000 for MEDA's Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW) project in Ghana.
Source: "Southwestern Ontario's peopleCare receives prestigious award" from peopleCare
For second year company is recognized as one of Delloitte's 50 best managed
KITCHENER, ON, April 10, 2015 /CNW/ - For the second consecutive year, Kitchener's peopleCare has been recognized as one of Delloitte's prestigious Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. This award recognizes outstanding business performance and innovative management practices.
Source: "House of Chiefs pledge to assist women access land for agriculture" in myjoyonline.com
The President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has called on government to support smallholder farmers to increase their productivity and income by improving the provision of agricultural extension services, irrigation services and subsidized fertilizer under the Fertilizer Subsidy Programme.
Source: "A giant has passed" by Wally Kroeker in the Canadian Mennonite, originally appearing in The Marketplace.
Roy G. Snyder, 99
Oct. 23. 1915 – Feb. 11, 2015
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) lost one of its most enduring and faithful supporters on Feb. 11 with the passing of Roy G. Snyder of Waterloo, Ont. He was 99.
Source: "Relationships important in lending" by Dave Rogalsky for the Canadian Mennonite
Tiffany Meyer cares for 120-plus clients at Mennonite Savings and Credit Union
NEW HAMBURG, ONT. – Coming from a conservative Mennonite Background, the Midwest Mennonite Fellowship, Tiffany Meyer absorbed what it meant to be Christian and Mennonite through both church and family. But she and her husband desired a less "bounded" faith experience and moved first to a Mennonite Brethren congregation and now to Creekside Church, a Waterloo church plant of First Baptist in Kitchener.
Source: "Siera Vercillo's passions guide her choices" by Dave Rogalsky for the Canadian Mennonite
In the fall of 2014, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) presented its inaugural 20 under 35: Young Professionals Changing the World Awards, honouring young adults from Canada and the U.S. for their "faith, entrepreneurial spirit and service." Ethan Eshbach, coordinator of engagement initiatives for MEDA, explains, "20 under 35 connects the values behind MEDA's work around the world to those of young professionals here in North America." Canadian Mennonite is featuring profiles of the Canadian winners.
Source: "Agricultural partnerships lead to global impact" in MSCU (Mennonite Savings and Credit Union) Share Spring 2015 Issue
We announced in our summer issue of Share that, as part of our commitment to the ongoing Farmer to Farmer partnership with MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates), we'd donate $50 for every agricultural loan we advanced in 2014. Because of your business with us, we are excited to announce that 483 loans led to a $24,150 donation in December.