Kingdom Business

New Blog Location!

2011-12-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

Hello friends!

RCE has moved its blog posts to a new address. To continue following the exciting updates on the Center, please Click Here.

I Can Do That, I Can Do That... How Can I Do That?

2011-10-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

Friday, October 21

Mark and Brandon’s last day in Rwanda. We visited the Center where Mathilda and her husband minister to the widows and children in an impoverished area. We met several children who had been near death with malnutrition and AIDS, but are now looking healthy and energetic thanks to the nutrition and medical attention they are getting from the Center. Mark and Brandon bought baskets made by the women who meet in the Center. Without the Center, the children would be left alone all day in their tiny homes as their mothers look for work around town. Mathilde is not only caring for the children, but she is providing income generating opportunities for the mothers and spiritual food for all. We joined with the group in fervent prayer, led by one of the mothers.

Made a brief stop at the only fast food chicken restaurant in Kigali—Quick Kuku—owned by someone who attended the seminar yesterday. The Chick fil-A guys enjoyed it.

On to a meeting at the Rwanda Development Board to discuss their need for training small ICT company owners in entrepreneurship. They want 100 of these owners to complete our 14-week program in early spring. I felt like the TV commercial—“I can do that, I can do that; how can I do that?” A great opportunity. We just need to determine how we can assemble the facilitators and visiting execs (from IT world) to do it.

While Mark & Brandon did a little last minute sightseeing, I returned to the office to meet with Mats Tunehag (BAM leader from Sweden) and Chuck Welden (entrepreneur from Alabama). Kigali seems to be the place for meeting people interested in international development.

Could hardly keep my eyes open for the last class of this trip. The learners blessed me with prayer and with the gift of a traditional walking stick. They insisted it signified “strong man”, not “old man”.

After class, I took a cab to the Serena Hotel to meet with Dale Dawson, founder of Bridge2Rwanda, and six others. I mentioned the customer service training we had done this week. Much to my surprise, I was sitting next to a couple who had just completed training the staff of the Serena. They had worked at the Four Seasons Hotels for 15 years and were from Rwanda and Uganda. We exchanged contact information for possible collaboration in the future.

Saturday, October 22

Up early to pack. This is my last day. I’m looking forward to getting home to my family, but still plenty to accomplish before my flight at 8 pm.

David Lamar, videographer hired by Winshape Foundation to document the Chick fil-A team’s visit, interviewed me first thing. Men on the lot below us were breaking rocks with sledge hammers. That, rooster crowing, and the cars entering the gravel parking lot at our guest house provided some challenges to sound quality.

Apollo, our contact at Rwanda Development Board, came by for breakfast. It was good meeting him in a less formal environment than his office. Our relationship with him has been growing as we continue to have successful events. We talked about Regent University's proposal to train the presidents, deans and faculty of Rwanda’s 18 universities. I invited Apollo to visit Regent to finalize details. He was very excited about the prospect. He hasn’t been to the U.S.

Now to take care of next steps for three business opportunities. Dona picked me up to go see trucks for sale. He wants to convert them from fuel trucks to dump trucks and run them for the BDC. Lunch with Sandrali to talk about next steps on the mining project in Congo. He had the results from the analysis of the first samples. Finally, Jean Pierre stopped by my room to do a skype call with Dale Fenwick, Regent MBA who visited Rwanda this Fall. Dale has been extremely helpful in gathering information and strategizing with the team to help them get an insurance company started. God is using Dale’s expertise and contacts to move this project along. This kind of follow up from a Visiting Executive is exactly what we had hoped for when we designed the program.

Off to the airport—early this time. Last time I got stuck in a crowd of 1,000 people trying to fit through a single door and a single security line. I was so early this time, though, that check in hadn’t started yet. They were nice to open it for me. I didn’t like my seat, so I asked for one with more leg room. They sent me to the manager’s office. I told him about our customer service seminar and how the Civil Aviation Authority wanted us to train everyone at the airport, but that he seemed to have it down already. He said he had no seats at that time, but he would call me when check-in closed. He did, and I got a seat with great leg room—praise the Lord!

God always provides an interesting contact as I’m leaving Kigali. I thought Ronald, the ticketing manager was it for this trip, but there was one more. As I was standing in line for boarding in Amsterdam, a woman standing next to me said she saw me on the flight from Africa. We started talking and I found that she is president of a foundation that funds projects in Africa. We might not fit their profile exactly, but it is worth a follow up call. If not RCE, then perhaps our law school. The firm that funds the foundation is involved in international human rights law.

Smooth flight home. When I mentioned all the amazing leads that this trip produced to a friend, he said it sounds like you have created a lot of work for yourself. True, but it is such worthwhile work. We just need more people and resources to do it.

More Success than We Imagined

2011-10-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Incredibly busy day getting ready for the all-day seminar on Wed and Thurs. Chick fil-A visiting execs, Mark and Brandon, were a huge hit in class tonight. Their detailed knowledge of operations of their stores amazed the class. I have never seen a class this animated, with non-stop questions that took us 30 minutes past break time to finish discussing.

Wed-Thursday, Oct 19-20

Fabulous but exhausting two days, delivering a two-day seminar with Mark and Brandon from Chick fil-A followed by our usual class 6-9. The seminar was a huge hit. Had about 110 leaders from 19 of Rwanda’s largest companies. Rwanda television covered the first day. Print journalists there both days.

Attendees loved the interaction—games, role plays, exercises. They commented that it was much more interesting and fun than the usual training. They were very animated and very sharp.

Couldn’t have asked for better contacts. Many said they want to attend our entrepreneurship course. The information technology division head at the Rwanda Development Board asked if we can run 200 small IT businesses through our program.

Three of the companies in Crystal Ventures holding company say they want us to provide in-house training to their ten companies. The Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority wants us to give the training to the airlines, immigration, customs, and all other airport personnel. The largest cell phone company wants in house training. One banker said he wants follow-up training specifically for banks.

Busier Than a One-Armed Paper Hanger

2011-10-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 17, 2011
Rich Tapestry of Current Learners, Graduates, Visitors, and Visiting Execs

I was a bit worried when at 6:05 the visitors outnumbered the learners in the class. Eventually, a good number of the class arrived. They heard encouraging words from Jacques and Hamim (Cohort 2 Football Academy) about life after graduation. Then Sandrali (Cohort 2) told them that the program changed him from a technician working “in” his business (he is a famous architect in Rwanda) to an entrepreneur working “on” his business. The class was encouraged to hear that the idea works, since it is what Jason and I have been telling them for weeks. They were also honored to be able to share the BDC affiliation with someone whom they respected so highly.

Ntense, a Nigerian businessman who is ICCC director for Africa, happened to be in town. He gave an impassioned charge to the class to rise up and be the leaders who develop Africa.

Robert, Executive Director of Churches Together and soon-to-be BDC licensee, shared his heart about how God called him to work in Africa as a result of a visit to an orphanage with AIDS-infected children in S. Africa. He preached a great mini-sermon.

Ntense and Robert are only here for one night, so I allocated them more time than the Chick Fil-A operators who are here all week. Mark and Brandon gave short introductions that will lead to further one-on-one consulting meetings.

Sunday, October 16, 2011
Busier Than a One-Armed Paper Hanger

Expecting to eat breakfast by myself, imagine my shock to hear Brandon call my name. I was planning to meet Mark & Brandon (Chick Fil-A Operators) at the airport tonight. I had the day wrong, and they had to get a taxi to Solace. Not a good first impression. Fortunately, Mark had been here before. I arranged for Bernard (taxi man) to take them to the Genocide Memorial and a tour of town.

The afternoon schedule felt like something you would see on a sit-com. Pascal (Cohort 2) stopped by to introduce me to his fiancé. We had a very nice visit. Then Jean Pierre (Cohort 3) came to discuss his insurance company project. As we were talking, Dale Fenwick (Regent MBA and visiting exec to Rwanda) called on Skype. That was providential timing since Dale, an insurance expert who was here a few weeks ago, is researching some international connections for the project.

As I was praying with Jean Pierre about a difficult issue in the project, Patrice (Cohort 1) called to say that he was waiting in the dining room of Solace. Patrice came to sell me on giving a BDC scholarship to the winner of his Africa Innovation Prize for high school entrepreneurs. I thought they would be too young, but he said they would be 19-20, so I agreed. Seemed like a win-win-win. We support one of our graduates, we help a young Rwandan entrepreneur, and the BDC gets some publicity.

Before I finished with Patrice, Alphonse (Cohort 3) arrived for help with the financial calculations for the business he is working on in the program. I asked him to gather his thoughts while I greeted Jacques and Hamim (Cohort 2) who were there for help with their Football (soccer) Academy.

Now I was overwhelmed. Fortunately, the Chick Fil-A guys had returned from their touring. I rushed up to their rooms and asked them to work with Alphonse on his Profit and Loss Statement. They jumped right in and did a great job. They really know how to do P & L’s. And it was a chicken business! Imagine that.

I sat down for a soda with Jacques and Hamim. They have registered their football academy as a non-profit and they are looking for help in many areas—funds, equipment, and a character curriculum so they can build winners in football and winners in life. I connected them to Oscar Benitez (Regent MBA in Guatemala) who is running a national program to develop character in youth through soccer. He is glad to help. I also volunteered to bring an extra suitcase with soccer jerseys that a Canadian has collected for them. Shipping to the U.S. is far cheaper than to Rwanda. We had a good discussion about long-term strategy.

Quick dinner and then off to pick up Robert, head of a non-profit that is considering licensing the BDC concept in Uganda or South Africa. Fortunately, it was the correct day, and we picked him up with no trouble.

Rwanda - The "Bread Basket" of Africa?

2011-10-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 15, 2011
Could Rwanda Become the “Bread Basket” of Africa?

A week with Willy and Ben has made me a believer in their vision. As God showed Willy how to restore 8,000 acres of depleted land into a thriving farm and then Africa’s leading ecotourism park, God was also planting a vision for agriculture throughout Africa. As Ben healed emotionally and forgave (by God’s grace) those who took, without compensation, his 14,000 acre farm in Zimbabwe, God gave him a vision for training African farmers in the principles of farming God’s way.

Together, through the Foundation For Farming, they plan to disciple nations in God’s principles of farming, which will bring about a huge increase in the productivity of the land without depleting it. They believe Rwanda will provide the prototype for other nations.

In an earlier post, I said that Serge (Cohort 3) was putting his big agriculture idea on the back burner to focus on his baking business. God may have other ideas. Serge has been interpreting for Willy and Ben, and they have been training and discipling him. Willy drew up plans for a model training center on Serge’s 25 acre farm. Willy and Ben both believe that Serge could be the leader to oversee the transformation of Rwandan agriculture and to develop a training center that would serve all of East Africa.

Some people can articulate a compelling vision. Others can demonstrate practical skills needed to accomplish a vision. Rarely can people do both. Willy & Ben are the rare exceptions. They conveyed the vision to me, but they also taught 100 uneducated widows how to plant maise in a 35 square meter plot. They are farmers who have had their hands in the soil for 30-40 years, so they can demonstrate what they are teaching.

The vision is powerful, but it is also fragile, because resources are tight and cultural and educational barriers are high. Despite the challenges, it looks like God has put all the right ingredients in the pot:

• Rwanda’s land is well-suited to the vision—two growing seasons, plenty of water, and hilly land that forces farms into small plots, which are ideal for farming God’s way.

• Rwanda’s government is visionary, growth-oriented, and stable.

• The Business Development Center provides a hub for training leaders and connecting Rwandans with international experts. We have a steady flow of very sharp, educated, motivated entrepreneurs targeting agriculture. We can see many of them becoming leaders in this transformational farming movement—the ones who see the big picture and have the skills to train the farmers and organize them into larger production units.

• Because of this “infrastructure”, Willy and Ben are excited about investing their time in Rwanda.

I can’t wait to taste the “stew”.

Despite the Rain, Our Legacy Shines Through

2011-10-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Friday, October 14, 2011

Our Legacy: The Next Generation (and the generation after that)

Twenty-two year old Patrice was a fountain of business ideas in our first Cohort of the BDC. We were wondering when he would choose just one and start it. Winning the 2011 Africa Innovation Prize (AIP) was the catalyst for his launching Eden Flowers and Business Support Ltd.

The concept of AIP was birthed from a public policy lecture given by President Paul KAGAME at Cambridge University, UK in December 2008. KAGAME’s lecture inspired a team of Cambridge students to start a new venture—Africa Innovation Prize—to stimulate entrepreneurship among university students in Africa.

Patrice didn’t stop with winning the Africa Innovation Prize and starting his horticulture business. He was inspired to extend the competition to high school students as a way to encourage youth entrepreneurship and to build a strong youth-led private sector. With personal funds and modest support from others, Patrice launched a pilot competition in four high schools.

Jason and I just received a letter from Patrice asking us to help with his competition (excerpt below):

We greatly acknowledge various efforts of the Rwanda Business Development Center to support entrepreneurship in Rwanda, and we identified it as one of our greatest stakeholders. We would like to request your support in judging the copies of the competition and selecting the winners, next week preferably between 18-20/10/201.

What a joy to see a young graduate with such vision for his nation. We constantly marvel at the mix of leaders that God has brought to the BDC—established leaders, like Sandrali, Fabrice, and Dona, who are well-known and respected throughout Rwanda; and emerging leaders, like Patrice and others, who will keep the movement going.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Rained On, but not Out

When you don’t have a car, rain is a big deterrent to moving around town. Unfortunately, it rained hard all afternoon today. Since most of our students don’t have cars, only half showed up for class tonight. A few hardy ones braved the elements. Some came on Moto-taxis—that is, they rode on the back of a motorcycle—and arrived looking pretty wet. I pray for better weather Friday. We have a lot of material to cover.

When You Are #2 You Need to Try Harder

2011-10-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Had an interesting encounter at Tigo, the second largest cell phone company in Rwanda, today. In the cell phone business in Rwanda, Tigo is to MTN as Avis was to Hertz in the U.S.—a distant #2. Tigo is the up and comer—energetic, edgy, ambitious, but also chaotic.

They dropped the ball on our invitation to the Leadership and Customer Service Seminar we are doing for big companies next week. Dona and I decided to give it one more try with a personal visit, because we want to have representation from as many of Rwanda’s top companies as possible. We met the new HR Director—so new that he didn’t even have a business card. He hadn’t heard about the seminar, but after checking said they definitely wanted to come. I told him that we could no longer honor our invitation to bring 5-10 of their executives, but we would open up two places for them.

MTN is sending twelve.

Many Irons in the Fire but Only One Cook in the Kitchen

2011-10-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

It's Time to Focus

This is week 9 of 14 in the Entrepreneur Training Program. Several people in the class still have two or more business ideas they are working on. This isn’t unusual for Rwanda. Entrepreneurial people here have many “irons in the fire”. However, I told them that it will get very difficult to carry two business ideas forward. It is crunch time—they have to crunch the numbers for their businesses and they have to produce polished presentations.

Serge is putting his big agriculture project on the back burner while he pursues a more manageable baking business. He and his wife have already delivered two orders of special cakes for a wedding and a birthday. He got another wedding inquiry today in class—Pascal is getting married.

What a Pleasant Surprise!

I returned to my room at 9:30 p.m. after a long day with nothing to eat except a sandwich at my desk. I was expecting to snack on a piece of bread, cheese, and a banana. Imagine my surprise to find a full dinner on the table in my room. Ben, the farming trainer from S. Africa and formerly from Zimbabwe, had procured a delicious Zimbabwean meal for me. His note said it is called Potjie Kos—a stew-like combination of meat, rice, carrots and potatoes in a sweet sauce. I felt as though angels had visited the room in my absence.

P.S. I found out the next morning that Ben had actually commandeered the kitchen and cooked the meal himself, simmering it in a large skillet for two hours.

Connections Keep Multiplying!

2011-10-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 10
Arrived last night to my usual room at Solace, too tired to do anything but go to bed. As I was picking up my key I bumped into Willy and Ben, from South Africa, who have been here for a week, much to my surprise.

Learned over breakfast that Willy and Ben are following up on contacts Willy made when he visited the BDC in August. Since then, two of our Cohort 3 learners, Consulata and Serge, traveled to S. Africa for training in Farming God’s Way. Willy brought Ben, a fruit farmer and trainer for Foundation for Farming, to help farmers get started on the new approach. Very exciting.

Serge has been driving them to visit several farms. They plan to visit Solace Ministries’ farms tomorrow.

Ben was very enthusiastic about the potential in Rwanda—year round growing season. He sees opportunity to introduce new varieties of fruit for export. Williyand Ben are fired up to transform Rwandan agriculture.

(see my blog dated August 16-19, 2011 for background)

Wrapping Up This Trip

2011-09-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Monday 9/19

Last week was uncharacteristically dry here in Rwanda, but the rains seem to be coming now. Hope I don’t get drenched on the way to class.

Tonight’s class is focused on advertising and promotion. I always look forward to this particular class. It brings out the creative and fun loving side of our entrepreneurs. We will undoubtedly share some laughs tonight, and have fun as they learn how to promote their businesses. In general, Rwandans place a high value on being serious minded, nevertheless they smile easily and have a good sense of humor. When you are communicating cross-culturally humor can be touchy. Sometimes humor doesn’t translate well; nevertheless, I have discovered common ground with simple humor. It’s little things like humor that help you connect. The real treasure in Rwanda is the people. I hope I get a chance to introduce you to some of them – We are looking for intercessors, online mentors, and visiting executives.

Tuesday 9/20

Dr. Mulford and I have been traveling back and forth to Rwanda regularly for well over a year. It has been a wonderful and gratifying experience, and we have certainly seen God’s faithfulness in our efforts here. The fruit is very encouraging. Nevertheless, we know that to expand our programs here and multiply Business Development Centers around the world, we will need to reproduce ourselves. Today was spent focusing on continuing to build our systems here and training facilitators. Our national director, Donatien, will help with one of the classes this week – he has been a tremendous blessing to us and is a pillar of our team.

I met with Junior Chamber International, another organization encouraging young entrepreneurs. We have had several of their members go through our program, and I wanted to give them a special invitation to this Thursday’s open house.

In class tonight, the entrepreneurs are really digging into their business models and focusing on how to build customer relationships. Good stuff – You can see real progress over the last week or so.

Wednesday 9/21

I spent most of the day with Donatien promoting our upcoming Customer Service seminar. We were able to visit a number of the major companies and government agencies. We have been warmly received, with several customer service directors agreeing to send trainees right on the spot. This kind of thing is a significant part of what we do. The existence of the Center here allows us to leverage the impact of Visiting Executives, and have a real impact on both the public and private sector. Rwanda is changing and it is nice to be moving with the momentum. This nation offers those who want to make a difference by sharing their business expertise an unusual opportunity to participate in dramatic change.

We cover break-even and the financial model of the businesses tonight – always an interesting class.

Thursday 9/22

Typical Day for me at the BDC

Before breakfast Bible reading and reflection on last night’s class. Break-even analysis brought sobriety to some of the entrepreneurs
Early morning breakfast meeting with a young man visiting here with his church group, he has been tasked with doing a feasibility study on micro-enterprise development
After breakfast a meeting with a graduate who has a mining project, our meeting last week was fruitful; progress is good
Have until lunch to send a slew of emails to staff, seminar invitees, government, etc. Also need to write a letter to our local bank.
Lunch meeting with visiting executives. Get to hear about the amazing meeting they are having with our entrepreneurs
I have a little time to create a handout to help a few of the learners who are struggling with breakeven from last night. I will put it on blackboard for them.
Just enough time to make some phone calls.
I walk over to our offices to meet with staff.
Downstairs to class at 5:45
Pascal our training assistant is setting up the projector
Open house again tonight. Not the crowd we expected but we have had about 8 visitors total this week. Not bad
Back to the guest house for a 9:30PM dinner and the pillow.

Friday 9/23

I have a lot of loose ends to tie up today. I ate breakfast with my to-do list handy. Our Visiting Executives Michael and Janet Shultz are leaving late this evening, and I will need to say goodbye to the entrepreneurs tonight as well. I fly home tomorrow. Donatien is organizing the business presentations tonight. One of our entrepreneurs presented last night and it was quite good. Over the next two weeks of field work we want them to soft launch their businesses if they have not already. Please pray for this group! Dr. Mulford will be with them in a couple of weeks to cover finance and operations.

Why Have We Been So Successful?

2011-09-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Thursday 9/15

Had an early morning meeting with the official who serves as our liaison at the Rwanda Development Board. RDB is the government department that is charged with business and economic development. We are working together to put on a customer service seminar in October. We also discussed our graduation ceremony and other matters. The meeting went well.

Our visiting executives are busy with mentoring meetings morning and afternoon. We had a nice lunch meeting at Shokola, a safari themed café in downtown Kigali. The Shultz's and I head back to meet learners and Dale remains downtown for a mentoring meeting with a graduate who is also a banker.

People ask us how we have been able to attract such high potential entrepreneurs to our program.

1. God’s blessing.

2. Effective Approaches to Marketing. One of these is Open House. Each Thursday evening when class is in session we have Open House – this is an opportunity for the entrepreneurs to invite their friends. The turn out tonight was great as we had 15 open house guests, all of which seemed very interested in our training. I talked with them during our break, give them a couple of brochures and we will follow up on them by email and phone calls.

Friday 9/16

Got out bright and early to visit several large local businesses. We are inviting them to our Customer Service and Leadership training in October. The training is for the top leaders of the top companies in Rwanda. The response has been encouraging. There seems to be a real hunger for this kind of training here, and I know that this seminar will be great.

It is a shame I will miss it. Dr. Mulford and I tag team as facilitators for our training here and it’s his turn in October. I am excited by the prospect of training other facilitators, however. I see a day in the future when we will have a great pool of people who do what we do. This will allow us to expand this program beyond Rwanda – 100 BDCs around the world.

I am encouraged by how well our VEs are doing with facilitation. All our VEs this week are also facilitators in training. 90% of the class was led by Dale Fenwick tonight. Good stuff – SWOT, the 4Ps, etc.

Saturday 9/17

We had a special Open House in our offices today from 9-12 AM for our graduates. It was great seeing them, and our little office was a beehive of energy. From the beginning we have wanted to find eMentors for our graduates. Several are asking for mentors now. I think of Théoneste in particular. His business is creating online database driven applications for the B2B market. His most successful product is a SAS for Rwandan schools. He would love to have a mentor with some background in IT and web technology. I just know that the Lord has someone who would be willing to email and occasionally Skype with Théoneste.

After visiting with Graduates we went to Donatien’ s (our Director here) house for lunch. What a great day!

Visiting Executives Make Huge Impact!

2011-09-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 9/13

I spent the morning doing facilitator training with visiting executives Michael and Janet Shultz from Australia. The gateway into the Rwanda Business Development Center is a 14-week entrepreneurship training program that uses an action-based learning model. As such, the content in the training is presented in a discussion format rather than through lecture. Our facilitators (we prefer this title to “instructors”) learn how to create a learning environment where they can draw the right conclusions out of the learners. We want the members of the cohort to discover the learning objectives rather than merely have a facilitator tell them. This approach becomes second nature with time, but often feels awkward at first.

The training tonight focused on marketing research. The following is an example of how we approach the subject: The facilitator asks the entrepreneurs a question, in this case "Why is research important?" Heor she then captures some of the most promising answers on a whiteboard. A follow up question could be, "What kinds of things should an entrepreneur research?" The facilitator has a diagram in mind: a stick figure entrepreneur with a couple of thought bubbles. As the learners call out things that should be researched the facilitator begins organizing them in one or the other bubble. The facilitator knows that all the good answers will fall under one of three categories: customer, industry or economic trends. Through a series of leading questions and clarifying questions the facilitator helps the class build a diagram that essentially shows – the entrepreneur must conduct research to be aware of what is happening in his or her industry, to know his or her customer and to understand the larger trends that are impacting both (above the bubbles). This class discussion would then be followed by a small group discussion where we ask the entrepreneurs to analyze their own business concept and identify areas they need to do more research in light of this diagram.

Wednesday 9/14

Today we had a working lunch focused on an insurance business startup that some of our graduates, as well as current learners are working on. Visiting executive Dale Fenwick, who works in the insurance industry, has been able to help them think through their business model and their approach to capitalization and come up with some out of the box approaches that could lessen their capitalization burden and help them with speed to market.

Visiting executives have a huge impact on our entrepreneurs, through their expertise (depth) and their general business experience (breadth). The payoff for VEs is that helping in this way is extremely gratifying and often downright fun. Furthermore, this coaching/mentoring environment provides ample opportunities for VEs to have meaningful conversations, share testimonies of God’s goodness and pray with the entrepreneurs. As I write this I am thinking of all the Christian business people who could come for a week or two and bless the socks off this nation by just spending time with entrepreneurs and sharing their real world business experience.

Class tonight is focused on segmentation, targeting and positioning. I am looking forward to this, but missing family. Especially my son Mark who turns 11 today. Happy Birthday Mark!

Blessings Found in Kigali!

2011-09-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

From Jason Benedict

Saturday 9/10

I arrived Saturday to rain and cool temperatures here in Kigali. It was actually nice to drink in the familiar sights, sounds, smells. Solace Guest House has become a kind of home away from home. It’s amazing to think that by the end of this two weeks I will have spent the better part of 4 months here. The 31 hour trip is taxing - I crashed for about an hour then went back to the airport with Donatien, our on-site director, to pick up visiting executive Dale Fenwick.

Sunday 9/11

Dale and I went to the early service at Restoration Evangelical Church a number of our entrepreneurs have come from REC, and I was able to share a little about the BDC with the congregation. I was able to get some work done in preparation for the busy week ahead. Dale Fenwick and I had dinner with a graduate who has a mining project in the DRC. Dale has a degree in mine engineering and was a real blessing.

Monday 9/12

I started the day with a meeting with the BDC team. I was able to spend a little time orienting our new Office Manager here. I went from there to a follow-up meeting on the mining project. Dale and I were able to meet with the other member of our graduate’s team and make some real progress. Dona went to the airport to greet visiting executives Michael and Janet Schultz. We went for a working lunch at Mille Colline Hotel – where I spent some time orienting our visiting executives. We had a grand time in class – the entrepreneurs were enthusiastic and responsive (after a little cajoling). They were also eager to sign up for coaching time with our VEs, and I was happy to see their calendars filling up. Dale was the hero of the evening when he figured out how to solve a problem with the wireless router that was interfering with our marketing research activity.

In class, students work independently and collaboratively on projects and exercises.

Dale Fenwick - the Hero! Students enjoyed having meetings with our Visiting Executives

More to come about this most recent trip! Stay tuned.

Graduates On The Move

2011-09-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

John's Blog: Week Two Continued...

Seeing how the graduates are doing is a high point of every trip. I look for opportunities to encourage them and to help them, primarily through networking. God often provides the way. For example, on the flight to Kigali, I met the sales manager for a Dutch company that installs fiber optic systems. He said he needed to find a Rwandan company with the technical expertise to subcontract some installation. I immediately thought of Charles (Cohort 2), whose business idea was fiber optic cable maintenance and installation. The two met and it looks like a contract may result.

Theoneste (Cohort 1) e-mailed that he wanted me to see his office, a very simple, inexpensive space near his home. I was so proud to see his business up and running. He created a software package to manage schools. He has 20 schools using the system. He demonstrated it for me. Very impressive. He expects to add 58 new schools soon, but needs to acquire more bandwidth to serve them. He hosts his system on servers in the U.S. and Canada. Dona and I prayed for him and his business.

I met Hamim and Jacques (Cohort 2) for a soda at the Umubano Hotel. I had visited their Football (i.e., soccer) Academy in the spring when they had two groups. They have added several groups and coaches. They wanted to talk with me about how to introduce character training into the mix. I suggested three options—two excellent character curricula and one special program for football run by a Regent alum in Guatemala. We even brainstormed about bringing a youth football club from Hampton Roads to play some friendly matches with Rwandan teams and to build a “brother” club relationship. My soccer-playing son would love to do it.

Ntare (Cohort 1) was selected as one of 50 entrepreneurs worldwide to display his business at a conference in Finland. As a result, he is joint venturing with a Finnish software firm to localize their school management software for Rwanda. He also has 4 clients for his pharmacy management software product.

Fabrice (Cohort 1) won the contract to supply the government of Rwanda all HIV/AIDS test kits. He is bidding on malaria tests and tests for other diseases. He imports rapid diagnostic test kits from S. Korea. He arranged a meeting with the leadership of Junior Chamber International (JCI) to consider a partnership between our BDC and JCI to train more entrepreneurs in Rwanda. JCI plans to train 300 a year in a short course. We talked about training their trainers and enrolling the most serious graduates in our 14-week program.

Michaelle (Cohort 1 first prize winner) took some time off to have a baby. She will launch her business in October with five coffee vending machines imported from Italy that serve fresh brewed Rwandan coffee from her family’s plantation. She had planned to start with 15, but lack of finances led her to see the wisdom in starting smaller so she can learn the business well before expanding.

Peter (Cohort 2) has identified a great facility for his Christian K-12 school. When I visited the site, I was swarmed by local children fascinated by this “muzungu” invading their play space. Peter plans to teach 950 students and plant a garden (using Farming God’s Way principles) on the site. He still needs about $20,000 to get started.

Earthquakes, Broken Eggs and More!

2011-09-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

John’s Blog: Week Two (August 20-27)

Latin America Meets East Africa

My colleague, Sergio Matviuk, arrived Sunday night. He is the coordinator for global affairs for Regent University. As an entrepreneur and an educator who has delivered training programs in Peru, Ecuador, and other countries, Sergio knew exactly what was involved in getting something like BDC Rwanda off the ground. We had an enjoyable three days together. I could see the class sit up and pay attention when Sergio talked about starting a business in Argentina when he was 17. He encouraged them and challenged them. We also had an excellent meeting with the Rwanda Development Board. They asked for a proposal from Regent to train the presidents, deans and faculty of Rwanda’s 18 universities.

Class Loosens Up in Week Two

Week two started off with a bang—or I should say a “crack”. Monday’s class was devoted to a project in which each team builds a package that is both attractive and protective (of the raw egg it holds). Each team has 60 seconds to sing the praises of its package. Then comes the drop—from six feet onto a cement floor--followed by howls of anguish when the egg breaks (3 of the five) or shouts of joy when the package does its job. This was the first day that the class really came out of its shell (bad pun, but true). One team created an Easter basket for their “Easter egg”, and sang the Hallelujah chorus to introduce their product.

Broken Egg

While Monday freed them to express their emotions, it took another day or two to free their minds to think outside the box. When given the assignment to brainstorm business ideas without any constraints—that is, no limits on time, money, technology, labor, skills, etc.—the class produced a list of very “ho hum” ideas, such as cement block manufacturer, secretarial services, print shop, etc. More than 70% of the ideas were businesses already operating in Rwanda. I sent them back to the drawing board with the charge to come up with some really crazy, “out there” ideas. That freed up their creative juices. We had edible plates, self-cleaning shirts, human breath as an energy source, and houses floating on magnetic fields. Although they probably won’t implement these particular ideas, the exercise will help them innovate new ways of doing the businesses they are contemplating.

We had several good discussions about the values and traits of an entrepreneur. I started class by putting a word on the screen and asking for reaction--Trust, Action-oriented, Generosity, Resourcefulness. These generated deep discussions and questions. Sometimes the class referred by to my “Doing business with a pure heart” presentation from week one. They would comment that a classmate’s position seemed to reflect doing business from the “stomach” (the lowest motivation from my tri-partite model) rather than from the heart.

Staff: Shaken Up and Reconstituted

We interviewed several candidates and hired Patrick Kanuma to replace Chrystel, who resigned two weeks ago. He is married with a young son and in his last semester studying law. He seems sharp and has good sales skills. We’ll put him to work recruiting.

Anatole informed me that he is leaving in September to spend a year in the Netherlands on a full scholarship for a Masters in Rural Development and Food Security. We’ll miss him. He has been faithful meeting the needs of both current students and graduates. Fortunately, Pascal, graduate of Cohort 2, has agreed to join us part time. Pascal received the servant leadership award for his steadfast volunteer help with Cohort 2. Now, he’ll continue that service for pay.

Several graduates volunteered to help out when they heard that Chrystel had resigned. They feel a sense of ownership and loyalty to the BDC and want to see it succeed.

What’s Going On at Home?

I thought it was a joke—a 5.9 earthquake in Virginia? But it was true. Then I learned that Hurricane Irene was bearing down on my house while I was in Rwanda. Amazingly, I was able to get home as scheduled. I arrived home just after Irene passed through—3 p.m. Sunday, August 28. Fortunately, Irene wasn’t much of a hurricane in Hampton Roads. Easy for me to say. I wasn’t there. My family took care of mopping up the water that blew through our wall. I sawed up the downed tree. We all are suffering the aftermath of no power. But we thank God it didn’t do any more damage than that.

Celebrations and the New Cohort!

2011-08-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening, August 14, 2011

Arrived in Kigali after a smooth flight. Great to see Dona’s smiling face greeting me. He said, “We are invited to Sandrali’s 50th birthday party at Lemigo Hotel, which has already started; however, you cannot go looking like that.” He was referring to my Addidas sport pants and running shoes. A 50th celebration at a nice hotel demanded a better outfit.

I was tired after 25 hours traveling, but I wouldn’t miss celebrating with Sandrali, one of most faithful graduates of the BDC. I changed quickly and we arrived in the main hall with more than 150 celebrants. Dozens of people spoke of Sandrali’s impact on their lives. Many said he had been a father to them because they had lost their fathers. One said that if everyone Sandrali had helped with school fees stood up, half the audience would be standing. Many lived with him during their youth. At least a half dozen gave him cows, the gift of highest honor in Rwanda.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Much work to do today to recover from the resignation of our only full-time employee last week. Fortunately, Anatole, a Cohort 1 graduate who helps us part time, rose to the occasion. He called and text messaged all the accepted students to get them to class.

Class was smaller than we had hoped, but it includes many excellent learners. We put them to work right away, interviewing a partner and introducing him to the class. I say “him”, because the class has only one woman, Consulata, recruited by Mathilda from Cohort 2. Not sure why the women haven’t come.

Tuesday-Friday, Aug 16-19, 2011

I am combining these days because they were such a whirlwind that I didn’t have time to blog about them as they happened. I’ll mention highlights.

Renier and Willy, visiting execs from South Africa, added tremendously to this week. They met with graduates from Cohorts 1 and 2 to encourage them. They also participated in class and gave their testimonies, which prompted one student to ask what “born again” means. Great opportunity to share the gospel with all. Many in the class are believers—one a pastor. They started quoting the Bible to support their points and using biblical examples in their comments. Quite interesting. I felt a little more freedom to share a biblical perspective on the purpose of business. Carine, from cohort 1, was visiting that night. She later commented that this was better than Cohort 1, because it was more biblical.

The sessions on life purpose seemed to resonate with the class. They generated much discussion and opportunities for mentoring. Some believe they are right on track, but others recognize a need to change direction.

While many exciting things happened this week, I want to focus on one major development, made possible by the past year of work at the BDC. Willy came to Rwanda hoping to find people interested in a new approach to agriculture—Farming God’s Way. He used this approach to transform his 7,500 acres in South Africa from a depleted farm with terrible erosion and muddy streams to an award-winning game park, with beautiful grasslands, crystal clear streams, and no erosion. He has helped farmers increase yields of corn, beans, and other crops by 500-1,000%. He wants to bring the system to Rwanda. He had the same idea when he came in September, 2010, but he didn’t meet the right people. Renier has joined Willy in his vision. Renier is a business consultant, coach, and trainer.

What a difference a year makes! Consulata, took Willy and Renier to her 40 acre farm outside of Kigali. They told her about Farming God’s Way, which she embraced. They were happy to help one small farmer, but they want to have a broader impact. On the way back, they detoured, at Dona’s suggestion, to meet a woman who has been a Senator in the parliament, but now has dedicated herself to helping farmers. She sells seed and provides advice to 580 farmers. She loved Willy and Renier’s ideas and agreed to provide a house for a trainer who would work with the farmers.


Mathilda, Consulata, Renier, Willy, Beatrice Viewing Videos of Farming God’s Way

Willy, Renier, Conulata, Mathilda
Bags of Maise Grown on Consulata’s Farm

The next day, Willy and Renier met with John, the founder of Solace Ministries, which runs the guest house where we stay. We have developed a good relationship with him over the past dozen trips Jason and I have made. Willy and Renier mentioned their vision. John said “this is what I have been praying for.” Solace runs several demonstration farms to help rural farmers. He said that he would house a trainer at the guest house and take him to the farms so he could train many farmers who come from the surrounding areas.

The missing piece was someone to coordinate all these efforts in Rwanda. Over a lunch meeting with Serge, a member of the Cohort 3 class, they learned that Serge has a vision for increasing food production to help the poor. He is very sharp and capable. Could Serge be the one God will use to coordinate these projects?

As we reflected on these developments and strategized the way forward, we saw the opportunity to involve a dozen graduates from the first two cohorts who have businesses and business ideas in agriculture. The Farming God’s Way approach involves “production units” which combine crops, chickens, goats, cows, dairy, fruit trees, etc. Lands are worked in cooperation, with each “farmer” doing his specialty. Such operations need good business knowledge and management. Our graduates bring that expertise.

It seems that God may be preparing a major, visible demonstration of His love, His ways and His power through agriculture in Rwanda. Consulata’s farm sits right next to a major road. As her fields flourish, they will be a “billboard” for God’s ways. The 580 farms sit right next to the President of Rwanda’s retreat on a lake. As they flourish, he will see the results. Finally, Peter, a cohort 2 graduate, is starting a Christian school in an impoverished lowland at the edge of Kigali. He will cultivate a “well-watered garden” (based on Farming God’s Way) for students and their families, and for sale to support the school. The school sits just below the President’s residence. We believe that the President, who is a man of great vision, will see the results of these projects and promote them for the whole nation. That is our prayer.

This development is a perfect example of the synergy and leverage of the Business Development Center in Rwanda operating under the blessing of God.

For more on this approach to farming, visit the website: www.foundationsforfarming.org

goodbye and see you later!

2011-07-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

(by Skye G.)

We're going back to Mongolia! It's been a long time coming, but after waiting and waiting, now everything is moving faster than anticipated! :)

Lots to do, not much time left...

We'll fly out of Norfolk on the 5th of August. So, in the next couple of weeks (I'm not counting the days!) we'll be wrapping up things at work. At the same time, we need to go thru all of our stuff, and sort into take, give, sell, ship, and discard piles. whew! hoping that this sunday afternoon can be a massive sprint thru everything in a garage, and then we'll tackle the house. ;)

Pray for us!

Besides all that, though, we are excited to be heading back.

(You can read our recent newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/eTmJg.)

We'll miss folks on this side of the world but are looking forwad to seeing friends and family on the other side! Keep in touch! Maybe you can come and teach in a Business Development Center in Ulaanbaatar...!

Book Review: Start Up Nation

2011-07-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

Start Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle

by Dan Senor and Saul Singer

Review by: Jason Benedict

Why does Israel have the highest density of start-ups in the world? Why are tech companies like Google, Microsoft and Intel, beating a path to their door? Why are there more companies listed on NASDAQ from Israel than from all of Europe combined? Why have they been able to attract over two times as much venture capital per capita as the US? What has created this ecosystem? This fascinating book by journalists Senor and Singer explores Israel’s economy, culture, politics and modern history to answer these questions.

In the last decade Israel has emerged as a leading innovator. Surrounding Arab countries may be able to pump oil, but the country of Israel is like a huge tech incubator that is pumping out new ideas at an unprecedented rate. This has allowed them to attract tech giants, leading thinkers and venture capital from around the globe. Though trans-national tech firms are setting up shop around the globe in countries like Singapore, India and Ireland, they don’t establish their mission critical work in those places. The authors quote an American executive from eBay saying, “Google, Cisco, Microsoft, Intel, eBay…the list goes on. The best kept secret is that we all live and die by the work of our Israeli teams” (p. 17).

The book outlines a number of factors that contribute to Israel’s success in this area. Perhaps the most striking theme is the way that Israel’s history, trials, mandatory military service and proximity to hostile neighbors has created a culture of entrepreneurship. This culture is observed in characteristics like chutzpah, resilience, egalitarianism, willingness to risk and a need to question the status quo and find a better way.

Chutzpah is the Yiddish word for an audacious, assertive, “never take no for an answer” attitude. Most Israeli’s possess an extreme egalitarianism and zeal for better ideas and improvement. This in turn produces very flat, cross functional organizational structures with little attention to hierarchy and protocol combined with a commitment to questioning, challenging and debriefing.

What does this look like? In the military, officers are challenged openly on ideas by enlisted men; in companies clerks challenge CEOs. Military officers are spread thin and important decisions are pushed down the ranks. Titles are dispensed with and teams work together for the best solution. Every action, successful and unsuccessful, is examined and debriefed in great detail. People are allowed to fail, but they had better learn from it. “Defending stuff that you’ve done is just not popular. If you screwed up, your job is to show the lessons you’ve learned. Nobody learns from someone who is being defensive” (p. 94).

The role that compulsory military service plays in shaping a culture of innovation is featured prominently in the book. The military, the IDF, has an extremely entrepreneurial culture: it puts young people in intense situations where they must learn teamwork, develop clarity, maturity, and judgment. They are put in charge of million-dollar equipment and expected to make life and death decisions. The authors contrast the average Silicon Valley worker in their mid-twenties with those in Israel: Israeli techies in their mid-twenties are veterans; they have a graduate degree and are married. “They’re much more mature; they’ve got more life experience. Innovation is all about finding ideas. In Israel you get experience, perspective and maturity at a younger age, because society jams so many transformative experiences into Israelis when they’re barely out of high school” (p. 73). The military also creates a powerful lifelong social network that plays prominently in many Israeli success stories. In Israel there is only one degree of separation. The IDF creates a kind of interconnectedness, transparency and accountability in society (p. 76).

Other factors that strengthen innovation are immigration, the proximity of hostile countries, and clusters. The book makes the case that immigrants are pre-disposed to entrepreneurship. “One or two generations back, someone in our family was packing very quickly and leaving. Immigrants are not averse to starting over. They are, by definition, risk takers. A nation of immigrants is a nation of entrepreneurs” (p. 130). Jewish communities globally also have placed a high value on intellectual capital, and have invested heavily in education. Immigrants were on average very well-educated and brought this highly portable intellectual capital with them.

Senor and Singer also develop the theme that the hostility of surrounding Arab populations has fed into the characteristic of chutzpah and created a kind of serious-minded resilience in Israelis. They are assertive, they focus, they don’t take things for granted, and they get used to risk. Scott Thomson of PayPal described his first all-staff meeting with his new Israeli acquisition. “Each face was turned raptly to him. No one was texting, surfing, or dozing off. The intensity only increased when he opened the discussion period: ‘Every question was penetrating. I actually started to get nervous up there. I’d never before heard so many unconventional observations – one after another. And these weren’t peers or supervisors, these were junior employees. And they had no inhibition about challenging the logic behind the way we at PayPal had been doing things for years. I’d never seen this kind of completely unvarnished, unintimidated, and undistracted attitude. I found myself thinking, ‘Who works for whom?’” (p. 30).

Another theme the authors develop is that Israel has created a classic cluster of the type described in Michael Porter’s work: education, talent, venture capital, and industry. However, they are careful to point out that clusters lack transformative power without the culture of innovation. Senor and Singer contrast Israel with Dubai’s largely ineffectual effort to create clusters that produce innovation. In fact, they are careful to point out that it is Israel’s combination of factors that works. Singapore has great education and compulsory military service, but their hierarchical, “never challenge the status quo” culture stifles innovation. Similarly, North Korea is under constant threat, but can’t foster entrepreneurship. The USA has an innovative military but has not been able to bridge the divide between military experience and the business community.

While Israel has been successful in becoming a kind of national incubator for technology startups, other parts of their economy have been lackluster. The authors are careful to explore challenges and pitfalls. This theme—success in spite of themselves—is instructive. For example, flirtations with socialism, Keynesian stimulus, and central control have hurt Israel in the past. From the mid-70’s to the mid-80’s there was an economic slump called the “lost decade”. While the tech sector is soaring, other parts of Israel’s economy have suffered from policies that are less business-friendly. Additionally, significant parts of the society, like the Hassidim and the Arab Israelis (communities exempt from compulsory military service), have high unemployment and low incomes. A combination of high birth rates and dependence on social welfare in these communities threatens Israel’s continued economic success.

Start Up Nation is instructive in many ways, but perhaps most importantly, by contributing a definition and prescription for creating an entrepreneurial culture: blend a culture of assertiveness, willingness to question, good judgment, courage, willingness to risk, resilience, and esteem of experiential learning, along with an appreciation for real solutions, instructive failure and experimentation. These characteristics, when present together, make an excellent environment for entrepreneurship.

One topic the authors didn’t explore, a gap in my estimation, was the concept of spiritual capital, and the possible role it could play in Israel’s economic miracle.

Book website: http://www.startupnationbook.com/

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Yves Tuyishime

2011-06-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

Yves, 24 years

Yves has a Bachelors degree in Economics. He completed internships in the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of East African Community and is now doing an internship at DOT Rwanda, an NGO promoting Entrepreneurship and ICT.

He is hard working, open minded, and a fast learner. His desire is to change lives and be successful by starting his own business.

BUSINESS IDEA: Consultancy in carbon market projects

Yves is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

OneMaker: Hope for a Jewelry Business for Deaf Artisans in Kenya

2011-06-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

Blog post by Jana Harp Dean, President of OneMaker and consultant to organizations starting businesses to employ poor women in developing countries. OneMaker is a 501c3 organization that exists to be a tangible expression of God's love to poor women and girls vulnerable to trafficking and other exploitation by giving them opportunities through education and business ventures. Visit www.onemaker.com for more information.

Just last month, I had the privilege of providing strategic business consultation and training to DOOR International at their campus just outside Nairobi, Kenya. Mike Buus, the president of DOOR International, dreams of starting-up a jewelry-making business that would employ 100 Deaf artisans in Kenya.

Like in most developing countries, the greatest felt need in Kenya is for jobs. The last estimated unemployment rate for Kenya was 40% (est. for 2008, reported in the 11/9/2010 report of The World Factbook). In a ranking of 200 countries from lowest to highest unemployment, Kenya ranks number 185. (The World Factbook, a CIA publication, 2010). Among the Deaf, the unemployment rate is even higher, perhaps even as high as 85%.

The president of DOOR International conducted an informal survey among the Deaf at a church service. He asked how many people in the room had a job. No hands went up. He then rephrased the question, “How many of you have a part-time job or a temporary job like painting a room for your brother for which you get paid?” About 15% of the hands went up. Although they may be skilled and hard workers, because employers don’t know sign language, the Deaf are hard to employ.

To address this problem, DOOR has already started business ventures to employ the Deaf, including a rabbit farm, a fishery, and an organic produce farm. DOOR wants to continue to create more jobs for the Deaf and expand its business portfolio to include a business that taps into an international market.

A jewelry making business does just that - taps into the international market - and has some other aspects that make it especially fitting to the context. Basic jewelry making skills are relatively easy to learn and it takes a relatively short time to acquire them. The tools and equipment needed for making simple jewelry are inexpensive and some raw materials are available locally. The global market for jewelry is large and the U.S. represents about half of the global jewelry market. Exporting creates the potential for generating more revenue and more profit than a business creating products to be sold only inside Kenya would.

To start a jewelry making business in Kenya, there are many issues to work through, including a 50% tariff on any imported items, even raw materials imported to use in items to be manufactured for export. Although there are many raw materials available to incorporate into jewelry, higher quality finishing pieces, like clasps, would have to be imported, at least initially. Another major challenge is finding a business person to champion the start up. Over the week I was there, Deaf women demonstrated that they could master the skills required and, because they need jobs, were very much in favor of a business start up that would employ them. Those on the planning team love the idea as well, but, as in many Christian organizations, most of the staff had too many responsibilities already and could not take on more.

Over the week I spent with DOOR, several days were devoted to teaching jewelry making skills to Deaf women. Mike had mentioned that the Deaf tend to be very attentive to detail and are eager to do a good job. He was right. I have taught jewelry making skills to women from many countries and often through translators, but have never encountered a group that was able to master as many skills as quickly as this group. As visual learners, they noticed even the smallest details in the demonstration of the particular technique. They consistently asked for feedback and wanted to know if there was anything they could improve on. They caught the concepts quickly and translated the concepts into completed pieces of jewelry.

Next steps:

DOOR has commissioned OneMaker to design 15-20 pieces of jewelry using materials available in Kenya plus some higher quality supplemental materials not available in Kenya. Later this year, I plan to return to Kenya to teach the artisans how to make each one of those products. In the meantime, we’ll keep praying that God will raise up a business manager.

The president and I will also work on the business plan together. Then, when the Lord has provided the business manager, I hope to provide training for him or her as well. I’m so honored and delighted to be able to be part of a business start-up that has the potential of blessing so many.

Would you pray with me for:

God to raise up a business manager to lead this business that would employ 100 Deaf people one day.
Creativity and wisdom as I design 15-20 jewelry pieces.
Retail buyers for these pieces of jewelry.
Blessing on a business that would provide for the physical needs of Deaf Kenyan artisans and their families as they work in dignity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog entry and for your prayers for these budding artisans and this business venture. If you’re interested in receiving future updates on this or other OneMaker consulting projects, please email me at jana@onemaker.com.

Evening 1

Arriving in Africa feels a bit to me like moving from air to water. You know how when you dive under the surface of the water, your movement is in slow motion? It’s like that here. To me, it actually has a quieting effect. Having lived in slower-paced cultures, like those of Guatemala and Afghanistan, this environment feels familiar and comfortable. I landed and got in the visa line with my completed application and my $25, as new and crisp as I could find, and then I waited……and waited…..and waited. I was one of the lucky ones who had a worker actually sitting at the desk processing applications at the front of the line. Poor souls in the line to the right of me had no worker at all until one of them approached another worker to inquire about where this one was!

I wasn’t in a hurry so just enjoyed looking around at all the people in all the others lines to either side of me…..waiting. There were Africans and Indians and British people and other westerners.

I learned that the Indians built a train line through here many years ago and many of them settled here in Nairobi. They started lots of businesses and are now known as the “white Kenyans”.

Upon arriving at the campus, I learned how important security is here. The walls had razor wire uncoiled along the top of them to keep would-be intruders out, but that’s not all. There are two night guards and ferocious dogs that patrol with them. Apparently, these dogs will tear up anyone who comes out of their building onto the grounds at night except the guards themselves. If jet lag wasn’t enough to keep me in bed, the thought of those two dogs patrolling about was more than enough! I was also told that paw prints of lionesses were often seen on the dirt road in front of the main compound gate. And, interestingly, there are never any stray dogs loitering about.

Click here to read complete post.

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Mathilde Umurerwa

2011-06-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

Mathilde, 37 years

Mathilde has been married for 17 years and is a mother of 8 children. She is a born again Christian and is a deacon at the Restoration Church.

She has a Diploma in Nursing and has worked with the FAV NGO, Relief Rwanda. She now works with the Jireh Business training center as the in-charge of the health and nutrition program.

She initiated a program of making BASKET Agaseke by mothers of poor children to have an income generating activity. Her goal is to serve God and continue her studies

BUSINESS IDEA: Supply & home delivery

Mathilde is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Sarah Mukundwa

2011-06-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

Sarah, 24 years

Sarah is newly married. She holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and works as a career Advisory Manager at INILAK.

She is a simple and quiet person who wishes to be an independent entrepreneur and run her own business.

BUSINESS IDEA: Mobile beauty care business

Sarah is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Aime Munyanganzo

2011-06-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

Aime, 36 years

Aime is married and a member of JCI. He has a Bachelors degree in Management. He has worked as the operations manager at AXIS Rwanda; corporate relationship manager at ECOBANK and the in-charge of OTM at Ecobank. He now works as a customer Advisor in Cogebanque.

He loves listening to gospel and country music as well as reading and playing tennis;. He dreams of becoming an independent successful Entrepreneur.

BUSINESS IDEA; Banking excellence center (training in partnership with a US Based banking excellence center)

Aime is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Susan Mukankubana

2011-06-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

Susan, 33 years

Susan is married and a mother of 1. She holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing. and works as the Director of Top freight, a clearing and forwarding company. She also owns a small supermarket.

Susan wishes to acquire the needed skills to grow a successful business and reduce unemployment in Rwanda.

BUSINESS IDEA: Poultry farming

Susan is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Jean Paul Mugabo

2011-06-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

Jean Paul, 23 years

Jean Paul recently completed his Bachelors degree. He owned a Cine movie as a student that he closed when Rwanda started experiencing electricity issues. He also owns a small tomato plantation to earn money for his living.

He wishes to be a rich successful entrepreneur.

BUSINESS IDEA: Bakery

Jean Paul is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Arthur Rutera

2011-06-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Arthur, 35 years

Arthur was recently married and is a born again Christian. He has worked with PSI as an accountant, and World Vision as a financial analyst. Was a founder and chief editor of a school magazine while still in School in Nairobi.

He is now self-employed; owns the NFA ltd. company that deals with simple innovation tools to tap the natural resources and avail them to all. He sells technology to NGOs for their local beneficiaries for sustainable development programs (microbiological water filters and solar lanterns).

BUSINESS IDEA: NFA Innocation (Solar Lanters and water filters)

Arthur is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Jean Claude Rubagumya Nyangenzi

2011-06-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Jean Claude, 42 years

Jean Claude is married and a father of 3. He holds a Bachelors degree in Management. He has worked with the UNDP, and Caisse Sociale du Rwanda. He has also worked with the Rwanda Revenue Authority since 2001 as a Business Analyst, senior Analyst; then the IT, Procurement, contract and project Administration manager.

He now works with RDB in one of its business development services centers as a Manager. He owns 5 hectares of land in which he exploits wood and wishes to expand his business and invest in agribusiness.

BUSINESS IDEA: Business incubation in IT

Jean Claude is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Richard Gasana

2011-06-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Richard Gasana, 38 years

Richard is married and a father of 3. He has a Bachelors degree in school planning and administration. He has worked as a teacher in Kibungo and Kabwayi. He now works with the TUBAKUNDE NGO as a coordinator since 2008 that takes care of children with disabilities.

He has a business- a small shop of food, hygienic products and other household material and his goals are to increase his shop management skills, create an income generating project for TUBAKUNDE, and reduce poverty in his family.

BUSINESS IDEA: Technical training center in computer science

Richard is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Biblical Entrepreneurship (NPIM) on CBN News

2011-06-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

CBN News anchor and Dr. John Mulford

Click here to see Patrice Tsague (NPIM) and Dr. Mulford (RCE) speak about Multi-level Marketing, and faith in the work place.

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Theogene Karangwa

2011-06-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

Theogene, 32 Years

Theogene has a Bachelors degree in Accounting. He has worked as a teacher of accounting at IPER;. He now works as a loan analyst at COGEBANQUE and desires to be a successful entrepreneur in his field.

BUSINESS IDEA: Bank services consultancy – essentially 3rd party loan counseling for a commission.

Theogene is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Jean Bosco Iyacu

2011-06-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

John Bosco, 32 years

Jean Bosco has a Masters in Economics and has worked as a business manager in BPR, and an Assistant lecturer at ULK. He now works with KCB as the Regional business manager.

He is the president of his Church compassion project that seeks to deliver children from poverty.

He is a result oriented, confident, and proactive Christian who dreams to be a successful business person.

BUSINESS IDEA: Equipment Leasing and Sand Delivery

Jean is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Charles Kagabo

2011-06-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

Charles, 33 years

Charles is a born again Christian, is married, and has one child. He has a Masters in Communication management. He has worked with MTN as radio and transmission engineer (later a Transmission manager).

He owns the ‘United Consultants Group‘ company that delivers services and products in the fields of agriculture, animals, forestry, information and communication, management consultancy research, market search & public opinion polling.

The most important thing for Charles is to bring as many people as possible to God.

BUSINESS IDEA: Maintenance, installation and consultancy in fiber optic networks

Charles is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Faustin Gasaza

2011-06-05T12:27:00.000-07:00


Faustin, 26 Years

Faustin is the last born of a family of 9 with the mother as the only caretaker after the father passed away.

He recently graduated from KIST and has held leadership positions as a student, such as the chairman of the forum of students club for unity and reconciliation.

His goals are to become a man of reference in entrepreneurship and help young people achieve their full potential.

BUSINESS IDEA: Kinyarwanda Language Center for foreigners

Faustin is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Bertin Harerimana

2011-06-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

Bertin, 26 yrs (scholarship student)

Bertin was born in a family of 7. He is currently a student at KIST. He has worked with a furniture company as a customer care agent.

He used to grow rabbit and chicken with his family. He now wants to acquire business skills and is looking forward to becoming a successful entrepreneur for the well being of his family.

BUSINESS IDEA: Plumbing maintenance, installation and consultancy in building

Bertin is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Aimable Uwihanganye

2011-05-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Aimable, 32 years

Aimable is the first born of a family of 3. He holds a Bachelors degree in Food science from KIST. He has worked as a Food Processing and Technical Consultant at Abahuje Cooperative. He now works with the Alpha Palace Hotel as a quality assurance manager.

He has owned a public phone and has also developed a cassava plantation to sustain his family.

BUSINESS IDEA: Goat farming

Aimable Uwihanganye is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Peter Deyali

2011-05-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

Peter, 52 years (Pastor)

Peter is married and a father of 4. He has a Hons Diploma in Theology and Bible. He is pursuing an online BA in Ministry. He has worked as the Head Master of Nentungi school in Uganda; Managing Director of President Paul’s Kagama projects in Uganda; and procurement officer of a Bible College in Tanzania.

He is the founder and president of Grace Treasures Church, whose vision is to plant born again churches in/beyond Rwanda. He owns a consulting firm that provides translation services.

Peter is a born again Christian who has served many churches. He has done extensive advocacy and the most important thing in life for him is to serve God with total loyalty.

BUSINESS IDEA: Pentecostal Christian primary school/nursery

Peter Deyali is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Eric Habineza Bahizi

2011-05-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

Eric, 19 years

Eric has a high school diploma. He has worked as the advertising manager of Peace and Love Proclaimers to advertise PLP on Facebook and other places; a protocol at the Ice Cold Brain Phreeze Christmas Concert; a Master of Ceremony of the National Conference on Youth, MDGs and Volunteerism; intern in the Commercial Department of Rwandatel. He is now working as a DJ for Shooters lounge.

He used to sell hard disks, sunglasses, t shirts while in school.

The most important thing for Eric is financial freedom for a fulfilled family life; and to create jobs and wealth for his family and country.

BUSINESS IDEA: Outdoor advertising

Eric Habineza Bahizi is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Rwanda Entrepreneur Profile: Christine Mukazayire

2011-05-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Christine, 34 years

Christine is married and a mother of 3. She has a Bachelors in Social Sciences. She has worked as a facilitator for Peace Corps Rwanda; a vice coordinator of Amahoro Mobile Project; a teacher at Butare and Nyanza primary schools. Now she works as a project Manager for Handicap International.

She had a shop in the past, selling different consumables. She is now looking forward to acquiring all the needed skills to start a business and grow it successfully.

BUSINESS IDEA: Baby day care

Christine Mukazayire is one of the 29 entrepreneurs studying at the Rwanda Business Development Center, Spring 2011

Finishing

2011-05-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

By Patrice Tsague, NPIM

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given to Me to do. John 17:4

Are you a finisher? How far are you in accomplishing the mission that God has given you to do? Have you identified your finish markers?

Entrepreneurs can be great starters but poor finishers. They go from business to business looking for the great hit. They start a business but soon get bored once it moves to the management stage and start spinning their wheels. They are sometimes unable or unwilling to move aside when the business moves to a mature phase that requires a more disciplined management style. Biblical Entrepreneurs must be committed to the finish. We must model after God the Father and Jesus Christ, our Savior. Genesis 1 and 2 detail how God created the entire universe within six days and rested on the seventh day, once He had finished His work.

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Genesis 2:2.

We see Jesus in John 17 talking to the Father about finishing the work which was given for Him to do. Jesus, in Luke 14:25-30, challenges those who desire to follow Him to count the cost before committing to follow Him, because if they join Him they must be committed to the finish. God expects us to finish what we start. You do not have to start anything in the name of Christ but you do have to finish what you start. Finishing is one of the key attributes of a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does it mean to finish? To finish means to completely empty yourself in carrying out your God-given assignment; to bring a God-given assignment to the point where others can pick up and continue it. From a kingdom business application it means to build a profitable, sustainable and scalable business that can withstand at least three generations.

You have finished once you bring something to an end or to the point where others can pick up and continue it. Finishing, for entrepreneurs, is not easy since entrepreneurs enjoy the thrill of starting new things. There is a rush that comes with a new project that soon goes away once the project is beyond the start-up phase. Finishing requires extreme discipline and a willingness to persevere through difficult times. How do you ensure that you finish the business the Lord has given you to build?

1. Make sure you have a plan - you must have a clear, documented direction with clearly defined finishing points and an exit strategy.

2. Identify your finishing points - finishing points are major phases in the business journey that mark major milestones where transition can be possible. There are four major finishing points:

   a. Breakeven - this point is when the business income and cash collections are able to cover all the operating expenses. Normally breakeven just focuses on income, but the problem with limiting yourself to income is that not all income is cash. Therefore you may have enough income to cover expenses on paper but not enough cash, which means you still must rely on external capital to finance the business.

   b. Profitability - this point is when the business is able to clear enough margins to build reserves, save and give to good works and works of righteousness (Covenant).

   c. Delegation - this point is when the founder(s) is able to remove him or herself from the day to day tasks to oversee the business. As Jim Collins puts it, "You can work on the business versus in the business."

   d. Succession - this point is when you are able to pass the baton to the next generation. At this point you are completely removed from the business and have raised up someone else to provide leadership.

Once you reach the point of succession you must enter a season of rest; a time when you can enjoy the fruits of your work. This is a time to renew and repurpose so you can prepare to embark upon something new or long to see the father. Finishing is not easy but is essential if we are going to really fulfill what God has called us to do in the earth realm and hear those wonderful words, "Well done good and faithful servant."

Where are you in your journey? Make sure you stay committed to the finish so you can please your Master.

Copyright © 2011 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Home in time for Mother’s Day

2011-05-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday-Sunday May 6-7

Dr. John Mulford

Smooth trip home. Two 8 hr flights (Kigali-Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Detroit) aren’t bad if you can snag an exit row, which has lots of legroom. Crashed (in my bed, not the airplane) about 7 p.m. Saturday, but woke up early enough to prepare mother’s day breakfast of homemade waffles. Got an e-mail from Dale Neill, Pres. of ICCC. He went from Kigali to Israel for more ICCC work. He wasn’t able to connect with RDB before he left, but he received a phone call that we will be able to continue holding classes in the Telecom House and have our offices there—praise the Lord!

Last Day in Rwanda!

2011-05-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 6

Dr. John Mulford

As is usually the case, there were many more loose ends to tie up than time to tie them all. Tried all day to set up a meeting with CEO of RDB to nail down facilities issues. All of RDB out of town.

Apollo (RDB) called to tell me “not to worry, RDB would take good care of us going forward.” He also said that he wanted our graduates to submit loan applications so he could take them to banks for funding. I said that most wouldn’t have the 100% collateral required by banks. He said no problem; the Rwanda Development Bank will guarantee the loans. This is the second source of unsecured loans (GroFin is the other) we discovered in two days. God’s timing is amazing—now that we have some businesses that can qualify for loans, the loans seem to be available. Apollo said that RDB is tasked with getting money into viable SME’s, so he is excited that we can help him accomplish that task.

Then to put the icing on the cake, I had another “chance” encounter as I was leaving the country. I was sitting in the airport lounge talking on the phone. I asked a man sitting near me if my talking was bothering him. He said no. Then we struck up a conversation about what we were doing in Kigali. I told him we were helping people start SME’s. He said he was there to invest in high potential SMEs. I described several of our businesses. He said he was very interested and I should check their website and follow up. We parted ways as he took a left into business class and I a right into economy.

Day After Graduation

2011-05-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 05, 2011

(Dr. John Mulford )

The New Times (print and on-line newspaper) covered the BDC graduation. It was nice coverage, even though they got a few facts wrong. For instance, Sandrali, the architect who designed Rwanda’s Genocide Memorial, was listed as a mushroom grower. But we are happy with the coverage. You can see it on http://www.newtimes.co.rw/. Make sure you look at Thursday, May 5, 2011.

To continue where I left off yesterday, Jason and I received the following e-mail message from one of the graduates:

It is with pleasure and humility that I just want to say thank you for impacting our lives through BDC. You have really demonstrated much love to us and willingness to help. I never knew that I was also made to be a big channel that would bless others and reconcile People with their Creator through business until you came.

I appreciate the awards and skills gained. I know this is a start of great things ahead. I'm available for any support to BDC Rwanda and would like to join ICCC.

May God supply all your needs according to His heavenly treasures.

Day after graduation, but not time to rest yet. We met with an American who started one of Rwanda’s first management consulting firms focusing on fast-growing SME’s. He has seen a great need for management development in these companies. We talk about three ways we could work together to meet the need: 1) staff his monthly management roundtables with experts who are visiting our BDC; 2) help him get peer mentoring groups going, similar to C12 in the U.S., and 3) jointly develop a practical executive management program (he has a PhD in business).

Several years ago, our research at RCE uncovered an investment company in Africa called GroFin. They have an office in Rwanda, but weren’t answering their phone. So, we dropped in on them and met for about 45 minutes with the director, a sharp young man. He was super excited to meet with us. He sees us as the answer to his problem—finding investable entrepreneurs. He loved the fact that we train them and that we have vetted their plans before they get to him. He has funded 20 companies over the last two years with loans from $50,000 to $900,000. I described about six of our entrepreneurs’ businesses. He liked all of them. He saw a big contrast between ours, which had definite uses for the loans, and others he has seen, which are quite vague.

We had a good meeting with Adam. I thought we would jump right into the investment fund idea, but he wanted to get a better idea of how our BDC works. He wants to get involved with the students first and let the investments flow from those relationships. I told him he could start either as a local expert (one day session) or a visiting exec (one week). He said he’d be glad to do either or both, but he really wanted to attend all the classes to get to know the students.

We met with the Minister of Infrastructure to enlist his help in our quest for a permanent facility. He said he would make some calls to help others to see how important the BDC is to Rwanda’s economic future. We’ll see…

Graduation!

2011-05-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Wed., May 4 (Graduation Day!)
Dr. John Mulford

Chrystel was working in overdrive to get all the last minute details ready with certificates, programs, etc. A last minute brainstorm had me working feverishly to create an image that looked something like our web page, but fit nicely when projected on a screen—no small feat for this artistically- and graphics- challenged worker. I’ll let you be the judge on the outcome (below). We projected two of these images on big screens on either side of the stage to emphasize our brand for the audience.

Anatole did yeoman work preparing slide shows of the first and second cohorts. He showed them on the two screens while the people were assembling. He also helped by reading the names. I didn’t stand a chance with most of the last names. Lots of consonants together—e.g., MWUMVANEZA.

The graduation ceremony was fantastic, from my not-unbiased perspective. The CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), our Rwandan partner, brought greetings and emphasized the importance of our program to Rwanda’s goals for increasing small to medium enterprises (SME’s) in the economy. Other dignitaries included the special assistant to Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame.

The real blessing was hearing student testimonies. The common theme was that this program “has changed my thinking, has changed my life, and will continue to impact what I do for years to come. They said it is a rich blessing to Rwanda for which they are deeply grateful.”

I introduced the six business plan competition finalists and briefly described their businesses. When I announced first and second place, I only mentioned names. The President’s special assistant immediately asked, “Which business is that?” He was very interested to meet with the finalists and make sure they had whatever they needed to succeed.

I also distributed medals for various awards. Bought in the U.S., they came with red-white-blue ribbon, but my lovely wife, Leigh Ann, changed them all to Rwandan blue. Everyone appreciated her work and proudly wore their medals during the reception. The medals may seem like a small token gift, but they carried much meaning. Carine, winner of “Most Encouraging,” told me that she had been very disappointed not to chosen as one of the six finalists. She said, “I am very competitive and want my achievements recognized, but my Mom told me not to worry, because I am special to God. Then I won this award, which made me feel very special and appreciated.” She was bubbling with joy, not just for the medal, but because the program meant so much to her. She said, “I wish it wasn’t ending. I want to keep meeting.” I told her she could be one of organizers and cheer leaders for the peer mentoring groups, where graduates meet to help each other with their businesses.

The graduates mentioned Jason Benedict, my training colleague, several times and quoted him a few times—something like start smart, slim, and small, but grow quickly. They really missed him. As I was talking with a student at the reception, an RDB official commented, “These students really love you. I never liked any of my professors. They were very tough on me.” I said that we were tough on our students as well. The graduate corrected me, saying “You taught us that business is tough and that we must be sharp and thorough to succeed. You simply held us to the high standards required by the business world.”

Dale Neill and I were interviewed by a TV station, but I think the interviews with the students probably carried more weight. After hearing Carine and Mathilde promote the program, I don’t know how anyone can resist. All of Carine’s guests at graduation said they plan to enroll either in August or January.

I also invited guests from the business community. The man I met Monday night at the U.S. Ambassador’s wanted to know what I meant by my comment about starting an investment fund. I told him we wanted to raise a fund to invest in SME’s in Rwanda. He said that he and his partner might be interested in investing in the fund. We set a meeting for tomorrow.

The reception was a great networking opportunity for our graduates. The RDB official introduced us to the managing director of the hotel where we were meeting. Our second place winner quickly moved in for the sale—supply mushrooms to the hotel. The director was interested. They exchanged cards.

We left tired but extremely blessed. You just can’t beat this job! We get to do what we love—train entrepreneurs. And they can’t stop thanking us for believing in them, investing in them, and blessing their lives.

Results of the Business Plan Competition

2011-05-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, May 3 (Business Plan Competition Today!)

Dr. John Mulford

Before we got to the fun of the business plan competition, I had the unpleasant task of telling three students that they had not successfully completed the program. I tried to make a positive outcome by telling them that we would continue working with them to help them master the material and succeed in their businesses. It felt like meetings I have had with people when I had to lay them off. No amount of encouragement can offset the shock and disappointment.

One woman began crying uncontrollably. I didn’t know what to say to her and she was having trouble understanding my English anyway. Fortunately Chrystel was there to act as interpreter and a second voice of encouragement. Chrystel spent an hour with the woman after she left my office. I then learned that today’s disappointment was just one in a long sequence of major setbacks. Rwanda is in two weeks of mourning for the genocide. This woman lost both parents and several siblings in the genocide, so it is a sad memory to say the least. Recently, her husband went blind. That created much tension in their marriage. They have eight children living with them, including extended family. Next she lost her job. And then, last night someone stole her cell phone. So you can imagine that her emotions were pretty raw when I met with her. To my surprise, she came to the business plan competition tonight to cheer on her colleagues. I introduced her to Dale Neill, President of ICCC. He encouraged her. Then we had a chance to pray for her. She was very thankful. She still has much to overcome.

The business plan competition went great--six excellent presentations of solid businesses. I’m glad I wasn’t judging.

John Bosco won first place for his sand hauling business. He is already operating the business with a $50,000 line of credit. He said he needs another $50K so he can double his deliveries. One judge asked how much of the company he could buy for the $50K. John Bosco said he wanted a loan; he didn’t want to give up equity. Everyone laughed.

Aline won second place for her mushroom growing business. She impressed the judges with her knowledge and her ability to answer all their questions. She directs the mushroom growing promotion program for the agriculture department of Rwanda.

Apollo, representative of the Rwanda Development Board, was extremely impressed with the quality of the businesses and the presentations.

Divine Connections

2011-05-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 2, 2011

(Dr. John Mulford)

Busy day of meetings with finalists helping them get ready for the competition tomorrow. Jason provided an excellent template to help them organize their financials. Fortunately, the finalists understood how to use it. John Bosco, manager of nine bank branches, is a real pro at spreadsheets and finance. We had fun playing with different scenarios for his business. They all seem to be gaining confidence, which is what they need to stand in front of the judges.

I asked Mathilde, a finalist, if she might like to lead a peer mentoring group of cohort 2 graduates. Her answer was an enthusiastic yes. She said she definitely wants to stay involved with the BDC. She sees it as a fulfillment of a prophecy 3 years ago that she would get involved with a high-level education/training organization. She feels called by God to participate in and promote the BDC. She said she will recruit dozens, if not hundreds of students.

Dale Neill, International President of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, our partner in the BDC, arrived this afternoon. He, Dona, and I went to a reception at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence for people and organizations focused on training and development for business in Rwanda. A woman came up to welcome us and ask us what we did. I asked her what she did. She responded, “I am your host. As the deputy Ambassador, I am representing the Embassy in the absence of the Ambassador.” Awkward moment. She quickly moved on to greet others.

I saw quite a few people I knew, including one of our graduates from first cohort. Two people acted like I should know them, but I didn’t recognize them. Turns out they were in the crowd that met me at church yesterday. We got high complements from a Danish NGO that started with micro-enterprise training and is now moving to SME training in direct competition with us. Their founder wondered how we attracted such top business people to our program. He said we have a solid reputation among those interested in entrepreneurship in Rwanda. Finally, I met a man with a very distinctive accent that I couldn’t place—he looked European (he later said his name if Finnish, but his family left five generations ago). He said his company just acquired the Rwandan company that handles all customs for shipments. I asked him where he was from. He said Charlottesville, VA. This was doubly funny to me, because of the accent, and because his company, Portek, works with ports. He said he would like to get involved with the BDC. I invited him to graduation. I also told him about one of our graduates who supplies coffee vending machines to businesses. He said, “Send her over. We have 300-400 potential customers a day—mostly heavy coffee drinkers.”

Making connections

2011-05-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

May 2, 2011
Dr. John Mulford

Dale Neill, International President of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, our partner in the BDC, arrived this afternoon. He, Dona, and I went to a reception at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence for people and organizations focused on training and development for business in Rwanda. A woman came up to welcome us and ask us what we did. I asked her what she did. She responded, “I am your host. As the deputy Ambassador, I am representing the Embassy in the absence of the Ambassador.” Awkward moment. She quickly moved on to greet others.

I saw quite a few people I knew, including one of our graduates from first cohort. Two people acted like I should know them, but I didn’t recognize them. Turns out they were in the crowd that met me at church yesterday. We got high complements from a Danish NGO that started with micro-enterprise training and is now moving to SME training in direct competition with us. Their founder wondered how we attracted such top business people to our program. He said we have a solid reputation among those interested in entrepreneurship in Rwanda.

Finally, I met a man with a very distinctive accent that I couldn’t place—he looked European (he later said his name is Finnish, but his family left five generations ago). He said his company just acquired the Rwandan company that handles all customs for shipments. I asked him where he was from. He said Charlottesville, VA. This was doubly funny to me, because of the accent, and because his company, Portek, works with ports. He said he would like to get involved with the BDC. I invited him to graduation. I also told him about one of our graduates who supplies coffee vending machines to businesses. He said, “Send her over. We have 300-400 potential customers a day—mostly heavy coffee drinkers.”