My Work

Last week was my first full week of work. I am working in the projects department at MEDA Paraguay (Mennonite Economic Development Associates). Basically, MEDA provides microloans to small business's and famers that need a small loan. Because it is not viewed as profitable the banks here do not provide these loans to the people that need it to help boost their business.

From what I have read MEDA has a very rich history here in Paraguay and has been here for over fifty years. During this time MEDA has brought thousands of people jobs and greatly helped the Paraguain economy. Each day I learn a little more about MEDA and the many projects have they going on all through out Paraguay.

Although the hours are long (7 am to 6 pm) I am really glad to be working here. I feel as if I actually helping the organization and in effect giving people the opportunity to escape poverty. Much of my time here (at least so far) has been working with data bases. More recently I have begun translating spanish to english. MEDA North America and MEDA Paraguay often have dificulties in their communication because no one that works here is fluent in English. So I have been taking project ideas and outlines that were written in spanish, using Google Translate to get a rough idea of what the project is about and then rewriting it so that it is coherient in English. This way MEDA North America, will have a better understanding as to what MEDA PY is doing.

I feel as if doing this really is a big help and everyone here appreciates me for assisting in this communication process. I am learning spanish quickly by being here and also learning a lot of business and ethics.