Waiting for visible results Neil Janzen is no stranger to this dilemma. He was president of MEDA when the organization launched its first micro-enterprise program in Haiti in 1986, and then expanded it to Bolivia and Nicaragua. He later moved on to other pursuits, and recently rejoined MEDA as a part-time consultant and Tanzania project director. He understands the inevitable tension of trying to balance the demand of funders for visible results with the need for patience at the local level. This is all part of helping the poor.
Training takes time.
Huduma's board has some blue chip Mennonite members, like a senior banking executive and a highly-placed diplomat. But they are busy folk with limited time. Much will depend on the extent to which they and others in the region can be ignited with a vision for an indigenous credit facility. The next 18 months will be critical for MEDA's program in Tanzania. Like a coach with a strong first string, Janzen wants to build depth.