"No matter how much I taught or how much I served, I could never give more than I received. The Ugandan people have given me more than I can express. They are beautiful in every way. Their strength astounds me and their spirit inspires me. When I came they called me their hero, when I left they were mine."
- Ashley Rogers, Uganda 2008
"I thought that I would just be making a difference in other peoples' lives, but through serving them and working with these people I grew to love them and found that the biggest difference that took place was in my life. This is an experience I will never forget."
Providing the skills and opportunities to start and sustain small businesses is one of the most sustainable tools in eliminating poverty. HELP participants teeach business concepts through activities and discussion.
Students apply skills, knowledge and examples that are relevant to their own immediate environment. In 2009 188 people graduated from HELP International business courses.
We also incorporate a product called the BEST Game (a product of Making Cents International), which is a highly interactive business simulation game that engages the participants in a virtual market of producers, buyers, sellers and consumer. The BEST Game does not simply show and tell students what to do, but involves them so that the learning points are grasped in the context of how they actually apply in the real world.
In addition to this group instruction, we consult with individual businesses, helping them develop marketing strategies and improve accounting practices. We also work with in-country microfinance organizations. In 2009, we served 48 people in 3 microcredit groups.
"I spent two months this past summer in Uganda working on various economic development projects ranging from small business consulting to business training classes. My experience in Uganda was life changing. I witnessed firsthand the challenges that entrepreneurs face in developing countries and how I can help them over-come those challenges."
