Lebanon April/May 2016

I was delighted to return to Beirut on an assignment for Land O’Lakes/IESC US Aid Farmer to Farmer with ADR (a MFI with concentration in southern Lebanon). My host was Ali Hajizi, the micro credit program manager. Most of my time was spent in Beirut and north of Beirut in Mount Lebanon (a governorate like one of the US states). However I did go to southern Lebanon several times and saw Tyre and Sidon; both have wonderful ruins and seafood! Reconnected with several of the MFI and NGO staff that I had seen two years ago. All are doing well. Conducted a Risk training class for the ADR Loan Officers. Packing now for my trip home for 2 weeks and then on to Angola. My thanks to the Land O Lakes staff in Beirut.

Mozambique CNFA March 2016

I arrived in Maputo Mozambique after staying overnight in JoBurg’s City Lodge. It was necessary to change my itinerary from Beira as the road to Chimoio was not considered “safe”. So I did not have a chance to talk personally with the CNFA staff. However I did see the former CNFA Country Director, Sergio Ussaca, who is now Country Director for AFAP. I flew to Chimoio; an agricultural area where Zembe Seed Company is headquartered. Antonio Manjate is the founder and chairman. He is extremely knowledgeable. He also teaches a finance class for MBAs at the University. My assignment was to assist the Company in developing a strategic plan for the next 3 to 5 years. I traveled to the farm which Zembe uses; met a competitor company; and conducted 3 days of strategic planning with the Zembe staff. Then I wrote. The hotel Castelo Branco was just fine. I also met with US Peace Corps volunteers who were in the hotel. Travel back to Maputo and then the long flight home from JoBurg.

Land O'Lakes Egypt February 2016

I am very excited to be back in Egypt with the wonderful Land O’Lakes staff. It is a very professional but welcoming group. My recruitment and logistics were handled excellently by IESC and Kayla Sainto. My hotel in 6 October City was again Hilton Pyramids. My assignment was to help the staff develop more SOWs (Scopes of Work) in the area of “Access to Finance”. I talked with 9 potential or former clients of LOL about their future needs in this area. One of them was my former assignment host, ABA (Alexandria Business Association) so I renewed my friendships. As before, I had a wonderful Chinese dinner! The rest of my time was writing the basics of the SOWs. I spent several days with the staff in the office and treated all to a Chinese luncheon.