DEVELOPING TIMES: Agricultural Empowerment Initaive--LEAD INC.

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.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Agricultural Empowerment Initaive--LEAD INC.

Agricultural Empowerment Initiative

In response to requests from rural regions of Liberia, LEAD is launching an agricultural component to its training and loan programs. In spite of its fertile land, roughly 80% of Liberia’ s food supply is imported each year. This is largely due to the large number of farms which failed or were abandoned during the war. LEAD’s newest program, the Agriculture Empowerment Initiative (AEI) is dedicated to providing the business skills training and capital needed by Liberia’s farmers as they restart their farms. This program will help to lower food prices across Liberia, stem urban migration, and generate jobs in Liberia’s poorest rural region.