It seems that I am finally able to write to everyone and say that we are making some progress on the small business project.
Before I even begin, it is imperative to understand that things move pole pole in Africa. Pole pole means at a snail-like pace. So, a "normal" task that I would have been able to complete at Henkel in 1 week would take 4-5 months here. Not for lack of trying, but the mindset of the culture here is that things don't seem to need to move that quickly, so why do them fast?
Background info: SBC/Imara is committed to helping to strengthen the church body in Tanzania. I say "strengthen the church body" because the mission statement of the organization is not limited to just evangelism nor does it mean in any sense that we are doing it for them. We are strengthening what is already here. Imara does have an evangelism department; but it also has a Leadership Dept which works with over 2,000 local pastors, a HIV/AIDS department that teaches women and children about HIV/AIDS, and a Mercy Department that ministers to members of the communities where we are active. My role falls under the Mercy Department.
In many of the villages where we work, there are limited opportunities for villagers to generate income. This is for a myriad of reasons...people do not have the proper skill sets, people do not know what products are marketable, people do not have the necessary start up capital, and people do not know where to even begin. These are just some of the reasons. The entire concept of "income generating activities" is very vague in their minds. I think it is fair to say that they understand that they need money to buy food and to pay for school supplies but HOW to earn that money is very fuzzy.
Enter small business project. We've got lots of ideas of ways to help generate income in these villages. Knowing which path to take it the hard one.
One area that I have been working on for the last few weeks is to develop a curriculum to teach basic business concepts to the villagers. The concepts are very simple and almost intuitive to us. The hope is that we by teaching them HOW to run a business, they will become self-sufficient.
As well as working on this, we have actually began making samples of some of our ideas. Please understand that there are two distinct markets in Tanzania: tourists and Tanzanians. The tourists have the money. Many of our ideas (for the women) will focus on products that will appeal to the tourism trade.
I've posted a photo of an apron that Ludi, a woman from my church, has made. I have no idea why my head was turned in the other direction, but alas, it's not about my lovely, smiling face but the purple, kanga inspired apron. I'm hoping to secure many of the samples today and will post some photos so you can see what we are up to.
This week we are hoping to have some good meetings to discuss the overall strategy and vision for the small business project. Keep you posted.
Before I even begin, it is imperative to understand that things move pole pole in Africa. Pole pole means at a snail-like pace. So, a "normal" task that I would have been able to complete at Henkel in 1 week would take 4-5 months here. Not for lack of trying, but the mindset of the culture here is that things don't seem to need to move that quickly, so why do them fast?
Background info: SBC/Imara is committed to helping to strengthen the church body in Tanzania. I say "strengthen the church body" because the mission statement of the organization is not limited to just evangelism nor does it mean in any sense that we are doing it for them. We are strengthening what is already here. Imara does have an evangelism department; but it also has a Leadership Dept which works with over 2,000 local pastors, a HIV/AIDS department that teaches women and children about HIV/AIDS, and a Mercy Department that ministers to members of the communities where we are active. My role falls under the Mercy Department.
In many of the villages where we work, there are limited opportunities for villagers to generate income. This is for a myriad of reasons...people do not have the proper skill sets, people do not know what products are marketable, people do not have the necessary start up capital, and people do not know where to even begin. These are just some of the reasons. The entire concept of "income generating activities" is very vague in their minds. I think it is fair to say that they understand that they need money to buy food and to pay for school supplies but HOW to earn that money is very fuzzy.
Enter small business project. We've got lots of ideas of ways to help generate income in these villages. Knowing which path to take it the hard one.
One area that I have been working on for the last few weeks is to develop a curriculum to teach basic business concepts to the villagers. The concepts are very simple and almost intuitive to us. The hope is that we by teaching them HOW to run a business, they will become self-sufficient.
As well as working on this, we have actually began making samples of some of our ideas. Please understand that there are two distinct markets in Tanzania: tourists and Tanzanians. The tourists have the money. Many of our ideas (for the women) will focus on products that will appeal to the tourism trade.
I've posted a photo of an apron that Ludi, a woman from my church, has made. I have no idea why my head was turned in the other direction, but alas, it's not about my lovely, smiling face but the purple, kanga inspired apron. I'm hoping to secure many of the samples today and will post some photos so you can see what we are up to.
This week we are hoping to have some good meetings to discuss the overall strategy and vision for the small business project. Keep you posted.
2 comments:
I LOVE the apron (and the hottie wearing it)! :) Thanks for the card...it's so exciting to read your blog and hear what you are up to.
Hey ESW! I finally got to sit down and read your blog. Thanks for the updates...I love your honesty and I love to hear what God is doing. BTW, I have talked with several of the High School girls who came to Tanzania. THEY LOVED YOU!!! I am staying at Katie Goble's house while Chad is deployed--she says hi. Chad told me to tell you hi too! We think and pray for you often. I am so proud of you. Also, don't know if you heard our news...we are expecting. Can't believe I am going to be mom...we love you and keep letting your light shine!
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