Jennifer Broome, Partner with Resource Development Group, recently travelled to Ghana and Benin, West Africa to provide expertise on economic and business development with Mercy Economic Development International Corporation, a faith-based, international non- profit organization that seeks to use microfinance tools to help alleviate extreme poverty in the developing world.  Jennifer spent almost two weeks meeting with micro-entrepreneurs, micro- loan recipients, and representatives of Mercy Economic Development in Benin and Ghana.  Jennifer offered consulting services on business development and planning to Mercy Economic Development's clients, and provided strategic planning guidance on marketing and fund development to the governing boards of the organization's affiliates in West Africa.

M.E.D.I.C. believes that poverty is a multi-faceted problem that requires a comprehensive approach to solutions for both individuals and communities, using a sustainable model that is built upon Judeo-Christian and democratic principles.  Traditional forms of charity and aid have been shown to create cycles of dependency, while microfinance, including microcredit and micro-insurance, enable empowerment by providing the tools by which enterprising individuals can create their own sources of sustainable income. 

While the world's poorest don't have collateral to guarantee the small loans they need to build income-generating microenterprises, they do have their word.  Thus, clients form Trust Banks, consisting of members who agree to guarantee one another's loans and receive training on good business practices and basic financial principles.  This method has been extremely successful and has resulted in a 100% and a 98% repayment rate of the micro-loans offered in Ghana and Benin respectively.  Currently Mercy Economic Development has program affiliates in India, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Benin, and Togo, and will soon launch a new program in Liberia.

RDG has generously donated both talent and treasure to support a growing portfolio of micro-finance services offered by Mercy Economic Development for the micro- enterprises of the poorest of the poor in order to expand income opportunities and make a social impact.  RDG is happy to partner with Mercy Economic Development to alleviate extreme poverty in the developing world.

Resource Development Group is pleased to be a 2008 Chairman's Club sponsor of IEDC.  We are also pleased to once again use our booth at the annual conference to promote IEDC's Diane Lupke Education Scholarship Fund.  

Diane Lupke, CEcD, is the President of Lupke & Associates and a long-time member of IEDC. Lupke and Associates has worked in more than 75 communities to empower residents to recognize their assets and create change in their communities. At IEDC, Ms. Lupke serves on the Board of Directors, the Policy and Issues Committee, and the International Committee. 

A strong advocate for economic development initiatives in distressed communities, Ms. Lupke founded an education scholarship fund for economic development professionals working in these areas. The award recipient is able to enhance his or her knowledge in economic development through participation in IEDC?s Economic Development Training Courses. 

Since its inception, the scholarship fund has received numerous donations from private donors. IEDC hopes to expand the fund in an effort to increase the number of economic developers that participate in the program. RDG is honored to be in a position to support this critically important effort to expand economic development training opportunities for all developers.  To find out more about the IEDC Diane Lupke Scholarship Fund please go to http://www.iedconline.org/? p=Training_Scholarships 

Please visit RDG at Booth #236 to learn more about IEDC's Diane Lupke Scholarship Fund and to support this critically important initiative.    

To help generate enthusiasm and support for the Lupke Scholarship, RDG will raffle one-weeks vacation in Punta Gorda, Florida at the beautiful and exclusive Burnt Store Marina on southwest Florida's Gulf Coast.  For a mere $10 you can have an opportunity to win this wonderful trip AND support the Lupke Scholarship.   Come By Booth #236 to learn more and help support a great cause.  

Raffle tickets will be $10 each with no limit on the number you can purchase. 

All proceeds will go to the IEDC Diane Lupke Scholarship Fund. 

RDG Principal Rob Radcliff and Partner Clint Nessmith look forward to seeing you at Booth #236.  Bring your money, buy some tickets and support a great cause!