November 2010 Trip Update 4

What an amazing week! In addition to working with the applicants to assess and refine their business plans, the Work for Life team was also able to gain a fuller perspective on the backgrounds of the candidates by visiting several slums and villages where the applicants were raised. This broader understanding helped the team to appreciate the impact that Work for Life is making in the lives of the applicants who are selected for the funding and mentorship program.

You are probably ready for the answer to the big question….”who was selected?” We selected 4 of the 6 finalists to fund on this trip. However, the two who were not selected this time have a great chance for the next trip. Following is a quick overview of the 4 people who were selected. More information will be posted on the Work for Life website (www.workforlifeafrica.com) over the next week.

Harriet will be opening a small food retail location where she will sell beans, potatoes, rice and sugar. Ivan will be providing a backup power solution for Ugandan telecom companies. Nancy and Zebia will be growing Irish potatoes and raising layer chickens to sell eggs. And Morris and Kenneth will be raising pigs to sell for meat. We maintained a focus on food-related businesses given the importance of that as a basic necessity while also expanding into a technology related business as we are confident that technology will play a large role in creating a brighter future for more Africans.

Thanks to all of you who contributed money to make loans to these young entrepreneurs. One of the great things about your donation is the fact that it multiplies. Each of these entrepreneurs will pay back their loans in about 18 months so that money will become available to future entrepreneurs.

Special thanks to each of the guys (Alan Stalcup, Jeff Glover, Joe Dowdle & Dave Fournier) who gave of their time to travel to Uganda to share their talents and experience with 20 young entrepreneurs. What a great team!

And finally….thanks to the wives who had to man-the-fort while we were gone. You had the hardest job of all!!:-)