I took an assignment with MEDA in Tanzania for three years, then returned to Canada where I have served in various positions with MEDA ever since. During a recent family trip to Bangladesh, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit projects with which I worked 18 years ago. Some have grown amazingly and have become fixtures on the development landscape. Another project, which started as a glove-making center, using treadle sewing machines donated to MCC, has evolved into a garment factory with 900 employees. On the day we visited, this factory was making nylon slush pants for Wal-Mart Canada.
All projects are the result of many persons' ideas and efforts.
Most also are subject to the fortunes or misfortunes of happening at the right or wrong time and place in the macro political and economic context. However, almost invariably, I have been struck by the importance of putting management and eventual ownership in the hands of local staff and national institutions. Those projects which have remained in the hands of outsiders from North America, however well-meaning, have too often languished. I would venture a cautious yes. But the ultimate success almost always depends on local staff who, through the grace of God and perhaps the networking capacity of the project's leadership, have been inspired to join the effort.