DEVELOPING TIMES: Reflections from the village

Welcome

Mission Statement
Rural Empowerment Initiatives (REI) mission is to collaborate in the reduction of poverty through investment in rural areas and training of local people.

Vision Statement
REI's vision is to treat every created being with dignity, respect and love. We strive to work with those most in need by empowering people to recognize their God given talents, enabling them to make the world a better place and providing them hope for the future.

Our Principles
REI believes that all people are created equal.
REI will develop small to medium businesses (SMEs) as one approach to reach those most in need by creating jobs that build the economy in rural areas.
REI's partner businesses will be led, managed and majority owned by local people.
REI will always seek a triple bottom line of economic, spiritual and social transformation.
REI seeks to build sustainable community-oriented business models.
REI's focus of support is to the economically disadvantaged.
REI will seek attractive market and growth opportunities.
REI will incubate pilot projects with capable management.
REI believes in collaboration. We seek partners whose strengths complement our own in an effort to build well-rounded projects of lasting economic value for the communities in which we work.
REI is inspired by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and is therefore rooted in the Christian faith.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Reflections from the village

Greetings from Senegal-

We spent a couple of days in the village and returned this evening. We are a little tired. While spending time in the village, we had the opportunity to spend time with people we have grown to love and respect. It was so cool to see fellow team members embrace others in the village. While hugging isn't a norm here...both of us have crossed cultures to temporarily forget about traditions and stereotypes.
It is pretty cool to witness two cultures embrace each other. We are so different in so many ways, yet we both long for relationships.

We were honored that two new babies in the village will be named after team members, and the ceremony will be on Wednesday. We will be going back then and will have the honor to participate in that.Two other babies were named after other team members who have previously traveled into the village.

We look to explore the water issues in the days to come as well, and we continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers.

serving in beautiful Senegal,
rick