From Adversity to Triumph in Kenya

Grace Atieno Amol bought and resold used clothing to earn income. Then she joined a World Vision women’s self-help group, applied for a loan, and was able to sell new clothing. She repaid this loan in less than a month, and subsequent loans have enabled her to sell water purification supplies and start a fishing business. Her children are in school and her businesses now provide jobs for 15 others! "Though I am widowed, I believe the sky is the limit. I still remember the word of my mother—that victors are definitely failures who refused to give up. I will never give up."

Read more from World Vision.

Pray for Grace and other small businesspeople in Kenya, many of whom have lost their businesses due to the recent crisis, as you pray for the nation. Praise God that necessary laws were passed to support a power-sharing agreement reached between the president and the opposition.

Brick-making Business Thrives in Uganda

After Joy’s husband died of malaria, she found herself alone, taking care of six children in the Kabale District of Uganda, near the Rwanda border. With a small Five Talents loan of $150 and some savings, she was able to purchase a small piece of land and employ eight people to make bricks. In just four months, she sold $150 worth of bricks with an inventory worth $400 available for sale.

Since 2003, Joy has gotten several additional loans to expand; she began growing potatoes and also operates a small store. The profits from her business provide for her children's education and enable Joy to hire 13 employees who now can support their families as well.
Full story from Five Talents

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Innovation Leads to Business Success

When her husband died, Valarmathi knew she had to go into business for the sake of her 4 children. She heard about IMED, Opportunity International’s partner in India, and was able to begin selling food from carts around the city with loans received from their Trust Bank.

Initially, Valarmathi sold roasted peanuts, but she discovered that adding spices and shredded mangoes increased the appeal of her product. Being part of the Trust Bank group inspires her to continually forge ahead in her businesses and achieve more than she had previously thought possible.

Full story from Opportunity International

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Mission Waco's World Cup Café

Mission Waco's World Cup Café will open its doors a little later to help support people locally and abroad. The new Fair Trade market offers a variety of goods from around the world. Many of the items are made from materials found in each country. "I can visualize the money going to the needy in Mexico, Haiti and India," said Laura Mitchell, coordinator of the Fair Trade Market.

The World Cup Café began three years ago. The café helps train its employees for restaurant experience; employees are mostly lower-income people and ex-addicts."They have been clean and sober and living for the Lord," Miles said. Not only does the café benefit the workers, but the community as well.

Read complete article by Lee Ann Marcel

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Croatian Church Café

A parish in Croatia has opened what is thought to be the world's first "prayer café", where food and drink can be purchased not with money but with prayers. "It started as a bit of a joke; a lot of kids used to head for neighbouring cafés after Mass here, and we wanted to persuade them to hang out at the church instead," explained the Rev. Damir Stojic, a youth chaplain with Croatia's Salesian order. "When we laid on everything free, the youngsters would come to me, saying 'Father, how do we pay for this?' I used to say, 'Don't worry, just say a prayer.' Eventually, one of our student helpers went and printed up a menu."

Story from Ecumenical News International News Highlights

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National Entrepreneurship Week

The second annual National Entrepreneurship Week was held Feb. 23 – March 1. A coalition of entrepreneurship supporters, led by the Small Business Administration, launched the week by bringing the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour to George Washington University and Howard University on Feb. 25.

“Entrepreneurs bring new, innovative ideas into the marketplace. Their efforts continue to create jobs and fuel economic growth... it’s important that we applaud entrepreneurs for their achievements and encourage America’s youth to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors." -Todd Stottlemyer, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business
Read more on the NFIB website

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Upcoming Events

A historic business conference is being held with American and Arab business leaders, entrepreneurs and educators in North Africa, May 8-10, 2008. Read more at the Business as Mission Network, or go to the conference website.

Partners Worldwide will host an International Business Conference, October 2-4, 2008 in Muskegon Michigan. Come and meet with dynamic businesspeople from around the world in the ultimate faith journey of business. Learn how your business knowledge and experience can make a difference, creating jobs and transforming lives. Read more

MEDA's Business as a Calling convention, Dividends of Hope, is scheduled for November 6-9, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The keynote speaker is Philip Yancey. Early registrants will be eligible for a drawing for three nights free at the convention hotel, The Columbus. For more information, go to their website or call (717) 560-6546.

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