FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2013

Impact of empowering women economically is captured on film

WATERLOO, ON - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) is excited to announce Drew Warkentin, of Ottawa, Ontario, and Eric Tichbourne, of Morden, Manitoba as the winners of our 2013 Time for Change video contest with their video, Marie and Liz's Story.

Launched in September, the contest challenged entrants to produce a video to bring awareness to the issue of women's economic empowerment, which was this year's theme. Through the medium of sound and moving visuals, competitors were asked to highlight its importance as a solution to poverty, mentioning how entrepreneurial opportunities organizations like MEDA are bringing positive change to the lives of women in developing countries.

"What intrigues and fascinates me most about MEDA is that even though it may not be the biggest, ideas go a long way," Eric (above right) notes. "MEDA people share their successful approach with other folks to make things better all over the place."

"Instead of just giving people something, MEDA shows them how to do things to create business opportunities that benefit them, their family and their community," Drew (above left) explains. "There are many residual effects from just teaching them about business and other skills to go along with that."

Eric first heard about MEDA's Time for Change contest at an international development roundtable MEDA organized at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo and was excited to tell Drew about it. "That was really an eye-opening event for me and it was probably one of the highlights of this past term. I didn't think I could learn so much in such a short period of time," notes Eric. "It's not the learning part that most impresses me -- it's MEDA's values, their story, and their mission."

The pair decided to focus on the experiences of Marie Warkentin (Drew's sister) and Liz Logheed in western Africa. Marie and Liz shared their first-hand stories of the value to society from empowering women by giving them the tools to succeed. Liz's story of a start-up soap business in Ghana inspired Drew and Eric to draw a comparison to MEDA's GROW (Greater Rural Opportunities for Women) project in northern Ghana.

Drew, 19, who is studying civil engineering at the University of Waterloo, says the exercise opened his eyes, providing him with knowledge he will take away the rest of this life. "The whole idea of women's economic empowerment in Western Africa was new to me," Drew confesses. "Both Eric and I went into the situation knowing nothing."

Eric, 20, is studying chemistry and economics at the University of Waterloo. He saw the contest as a great opportunity to learn about gender disparities in a different society, delving deeper into its impact on economic development and what organizations are doing to solve it. "It's important for people to recognize that MEDA does more than just talk about ideas," Eric says. "MEDA also makes sure they work."

MEDA staff determined the first place winner and runner-up based on the theme, the strength of their argument, clear expression of ideas, production values and originality. Brother-sister pair Andreas and Sylvana Tiedtke (pictured left), age 13 and 15 respectively, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, were awarded second place for their video, Women's Economic Empowerment Story.

Inspired when she attended the 2012 MEDA Convention, Sylvana began thinking about the privileges she had and felt that everyone should have the same opportunities. "When women are empowered, it's not just about women being better," notes Sylvana. "We all deserve the same kind of treatment and equality -- the same opportunities."

The viewer's choice winner was Danish Khan for his video, The Malala Song Echoes. As a 25-year-old studying at the NED University of Engineering and Technology in Pakistan, Danish (pictured right) was inspired by MEDA's work of empowering women and the realities of his own village, where girls are deprived of their right to education when they marry young. "This contest gave me an opportunity to highlight a critical issue regarding discrimination in girls' education," Danish says. "If we educate one boy then it will only help him to earn bread for the next generation, but if you educate one girl it will help her educate the next generation."

MEDA currently has programs focused on women's economic empowerment in Pakistan, Ghana, Haiti and Libya. While women around the world have the same hopes and dreams, many lack the ability to provide even the simple things in life such as food, shelter and education for their families. In the developing world, life is particularly difficult for women and girls because they face many barriers to employment due to cultural norms in their society.

MEDA helps them overcome these obstacles by teaching them how to farm, run a business or even open a bank account. Women flourish as they earn an income, and with more money, their children's health and nutrition improves.

MEDA introduced the Time for Change video contest last year to encourage people, especially youth, to explore world issues. Last year's winner, Daniel Penner, of Harper, Kansas, addressed food security, drawing parallels in milk production in North America and developing countries with his video, Milk: From Cow to Consumer.

First place winners Drew and Eric won a 13-inch MacBook Air; runners-up Andreas and Sylvana won a 32GB iPod Touch; and viewer's choice winner Danish won an Apple TV. Stay tuned on http://www.timeforchange.tv for details of next year's Time for Change video contest or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

To watch any of the winning entries, especially Marie and Liz's Story, please visit meda.tv or the video entries link at timeforchange.tv .

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For more information, please contact Linda Whitmore ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Jaclyn Stief ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) at 519-725-1633.
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MEDA is an international NGO founded in 1953 that provides technical expertise in subsector and value chain analysis, market linkages, financial services (rural finance, deposit mobilization and youth & financial services), health systems, and financial institution capacity development. MEDA's expertise cuts across sectors, working with vulnerable and underserved populations like youth, low-income women, and rural populations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2013

Wellesley women organize clothing exchange to support women in Ghana

WATERLOO, ON - Pat and Leah Bremner, a mother and daughter team from Wellesley, Ontario, recently hosted their second annual clothing, accessories and book sale to raise donations for women in need around the world. MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) was this year's lucky recipient, with over $700 being raised to provide greater food security to women and their families through MEDA's GROW (Greater Rural Opportunities for Women) project in Ghana, which is funded by the Government of Canada and MEDA supporters.

Pat and Leah (pictured left) informed their friends and family about the event using social media and word of mouth, encouraging those in the surrounding communities to come shop or to drop off their clothing if they could not attend. The donated clothes were spread throughout the Bremner household, along with a suggested price list, a jar to collect donations for MEDA, and information on MEDA projects focused on assisting women.

Friends and neighbors dropped by for some shopping, snacks, and social time together. At the end of the night, extra items were taken to the New Hamburg Thrift Centre operated by Mennonite Central Committee. Participants had nothing but great things to say about the event:

"Shopping, food, and friends all in the name of women helping women - does it get any better? Congratulations on another successful year, hoping there's many more to come!"

"I had a wonderful evening. Such a great idea! It felt uplifting to clear out my own closet and find some "new to me" treasures. And it's very exciting that we were able to collectively raise $700 dollars to support fellow women across the globe. Wonderful! Same time next year?"

"Pat and Leah, you created a really wonderful evening for us chicks here in Wellesley that extended out to many women all over the world – How wonderful! Thank you! I'm in for next year too - definitely!"

Highly involved in the community, Pat and Leah are both strong, inspirational women with a global consciousness that is helping others to realize the changes they are capable of making. By cleaning out their own closets and then replenishing with new finds from their peers, they're also supporting women around the world in their quest to succeed. Pat and Leah choose a different organization to support each year and selected MEDA because they were inspired by the organization's work.

"Last spring with the idea of cleaning out the closets looming in our minds, my mom and I decided we needed some motivation," Leah Bremner explained. "It started as an idea to hold a clothing sale or garage sale with our own clothes but it seemed like a lot of work for the amount of reward. It blossomed into inviting others to participate and finding a women's group that would benefit from the money raised."

MEDA was excited to be this year's organization of choice. "We are thrilled that there are local women like Pat and Leah who are rallying their community together to support women in need internationally," said Rachel Hess, GROW project manager. "This is going to make a huge difference in the lives of Ghanaian women. We hope Pat and Leah will serve as trailblazers for other MEDA supporters wanting to organize their own fundraising events like this to support a MEDA project they're passionate about."

Leah has thoroughly enjoyed planning this event with her mom, who she describes as a woman who has taught her so many lessons. "Most importantly, though, creating communities for women to lean on, support and learn from one another is vital to maintaining community health. She really is an inspiring woman," Leah says. We couldn't agree more. Thanks to these generous Wellesley-area women who attended the event, women in Northern Ghana will increase agricultural production, strengthen their links to markets, diversify the food they produce and understand more about nutrition – ultimately giving their families the security of nutritious food throughout the year. Local shopping for global good – what an idea!

For more information, please contact Linda Whitmore ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Jaclyn Stief ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) at 519-725-1633.

Make sure to follow us on these social media networks to stay informed about MEDA:
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Website - www.meda.org

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MEDA is an international NGO founded in 1953 that provides technical expertise in subsector and value chain analysis, market linkages, financial services (rural finance, deposit mobilization and youth & financial services), health systems, and financial institution capacity development. MEDA's expertise cuts across sectors, working with vulnerable and underserved populations like youth, low-income women, and rural populations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2013

Grandparents' bequest inspires new generation of Nebraska family

WATERLOO, ON - Women farmers in Ghana and international development interns will gain new opportunities to earn an income to support their families, and to enhance their career prospects, with a recent legacy gift to MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) from the estate of Willard and Elsie Penner.

Part of the $1.1 million bequest will support MEDA's GROW (Greater Rural Opportunities for Women) project in Ghana, aimed at improving food security for farmers in northern Ghana by helping women increase availability, access and use of nutritious food. The six-year project will reach out to 20,000 women and their families.

The Penner gift will also fund five much-needed internships for US students. Internships provide graduating students with critical field experience for their chosen career. They are also an important talent pipeline for MEDA – seven current staff members began as interns.

The family is also creating The Willard and Elsie Penner Family Legacy Fund, to be invested for long-term impact. MEDA's Sarona Risk Capital Fund (SRCF) provides early stage capital, an important source of funding for young companies. SRCF invests in promising companies in developing countries with prospects of not only financial success, but economic benefit to poor communities. Last year SRCF helped 14 million clients served by microfinance institutions and enterprises where MEDA has an investment.

"Both our parents and grandparents have been members and supporters of MEDA," notes Matthew Penner. "They believe in its mission of helping people to support themselves rather than giving free donations. As a farmer, I'm now inspired to learn more about how farmers in North America can reach out to farmers in developing countries to help them on the road to prosperity."

His sister, Elizabeth, who is starting a residency in internal medicine at Cornell University, recalls how her parents' and grandparents' commitment to help others through MEDA impressed her at a young age. Upon graduating from high school, Elizabeth gave some of her graduation money to MEDA. "Even then, I felt that I had been very fortunate, and knowing what I did about MEDA, I felt it was a very admirable organization with a great cause."

The children of Willard and Elsie – Mary Scheve, Ann Foodman and Roland Penner – hope that sharing the story of their family's bequest will encourage others to consider how they, too, can make a gift that will keep working long after they're gone to rid the world of poverty.

For more information, please contact Linda Whitmore ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Jaclyn Stief ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) at 519-725-1633.

Make sure to follow us on these social media networks to stay informed about MEDA:
Twitter - @medadotorg
Facebook - MEDA
Pinterest - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates)
Google+ - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates)
LinkedIn - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates)
Vimeo – MEDA.tv
YouTube - medadotorg
Website - www.meda.org

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MEDA is an association of Christians, in business and the professions, committed to applying biblical teachings in the marketplace; MEDA members share their faith, abilities and resources to address human needs through economic development. We believe that all people may experience Christ's love and utilize their abilities to earn a livelihood, provide for families and enrich their communities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 28th, 2013

MEDA partners for upcoming Share, Save, Spend video series

WATERLOO, ON - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) is excited to announce its partnership with several area Mennonite organizations to produce Making Change, a financial literacy video series. The four-part series set to be released in Fall 2013 will be suitable for both youth and adult audiences.

Making Change will explore and encourage discussion about how a person's faith impacts how they handle their finances. The video series, through the lens of the age-old "share, save and spend" concept, will examine how biblical teachings mimic and differ from current ideals.

"This partnership is a great opportunity for MEDA to join other Mennonite organizations as we open up the dialogue surrounding faith, finances, and the influence they have on one another," shared MEDA President Allan Sauder. "The Making Change videos will be a great reflective exercise for individuals, groups and organizations alike to examine their attitudes towards money. We look forward to joining the surrounding communities in discussing how our values guide how we share, save and spend money."

Also involved in the joint venture are Mennonite Savings and Credit Union, Conrad Grebel University College, MAX Canada, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, Mennonite Foundation of Canada and Rockway Mennonite Collegiate.

For more information, please contact Linda Whitmore ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Jaclyn Stief ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) at 519-725-1633. To learn more about the video series, including a teaser trailer, and stay up to date on resources, please visit www.makingchange.ca.

Make sure to follow us on these social media networks to stay informed about MEDA:
Twitter - @medadotorg
Facebook - MEDA
Pinterest - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates)
Google+ - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates)
LinkedIn - MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates)
Vimeo - MEDA.tv
YouTube - medadotorg
Website - www.meda.org

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MEDA is an association of Christians, in business and the professions, committed to applying biblical teachings in the marketplace; MEDA members share their faith, abilities and resources to address human needs through economic development. We believe that all people may experience Christ's love and utilize their abilities to earn a livelihood, provide for families and enrich their communities.