Microeconomic Development Group
From The Collaboratory
| Quicklinks |
|---|
 |
| Projects |
| Members |
|
| Advisors |
Summary
The Microeconomic Development Group began in 2006 with the intention of using students' growing business acumen to assist in economic development through business development. For the 2007-2008 year, our primary focus was to develop partnerships, research micro-finance, and find development opportunities in Zambia. During the 2008-2009 school year, the group worked in partnership with the Brethren in Christ Church in Zambia to start two Savings and Credit Associations using the Village Savings and Loan (VSLA) program. This program enables rural Zambians to save capital as well as potentially take out loans for small businesses or immediate needs. During the 2009-2010 school year, the MED grou expanded its knowledge of SCAs through studying the Chalmer's Curriculum as well. During the summer of 2010, a team of six members returned to Zambia again and started 2 SCAs- an ASCA and a ROSCA mdel-using a combination of VSLA and Chalmers curriculum. During the 2010-2011 school year, the group will continue working toward a Summer 2011 site team by integrating the two curriculums into a more usable format. The goal will be to make an impact in more economic zones within Zambia by providing the opportunity to participate in Savings and Credit Associations. MED also has an ongoing relationship with Forgotten Voices, and an affiliation with World Mission Associates. During the 2009-2010 school year, the group also is working on creating a marketing bundle for college students to spread the word about the organization of Forgotten Voices.[http://www.forgottenvoices.org/2/
Mission
The MED Group partners with communities and individuals to develop, analyze, and expand business opportunities with the goal of supporting and growing local economies, as well as providing group members with practical opportunities to use and expand classroom knowledge, while integrating ministry and business.
Vision
The MED Group is a student-led Christian organization that endeavors to serve domestically and in the developing world by utilizing classroom knowledge and mutually beneficial partnerships while striving to enhance the lives and communities of the marginalized through sustainable economic empowerment.
- Theme Verse: Isaiah 58:10 (New International Version)
And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. New International Version (NIV)
News
- Meetings are on Monday's at 5:00pm in Jordan 170
- Welcome to our new members!
Projects
Current projects
Past projects
Future projects
Resources
- http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/ites/0204/ijee/ijee0204.htm
- http://www.uncdf.org/mfdl/index.php?_mode=students.readings
- ME Minutes
- For more information about this template, please read Help:Group article and Help:Template.
- MFI Connect | http://www.mfiConnect.com
- "Microfinance Misses its Mark" by Aneel Karnani
- "Hitting its Mark:Microfinance and the Alleviation of Poverty" by Peter Greer
- HOPE International Resource List
- http://www.microfinancepodcast.com/Home.html
Documentation
- Documentation - Zambia Site Team 2008
- Documentation - Zambia Site Team 2009
- Spiritual Connection to our MFI by Liz Poulin
- Urban versus Rural Microfinance by Joe Bisciotti
- Role of the Loan Officer by Henry Chan
- Initial Visit to Save-a-Lot: Meeting Minutes
- MED-Henry Edwards 11/24: Meeting Minutes
- MED-Amani Bead Project 3/23: Meeting Minutes
