Economic opportunity
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Photo: Sean Sheridan for Mercy Corps
Markets, whether large or small, keep communities thriving. But conflicts, disasters and a lack of infrastructure can prevent people from conducting the daily transactions on which all growth and progress depend. Around the world, Mercy Corps discovers why commerce is stuck.
In some places, manufacturers need loans to purchase equipment and young people desire job skills. In others, key transportation routes to market must be rebuilt or farmers require better storage to keep their inventory fresh until sold.
Our economic development projects provide financing, equipment, training or technical support. These projects help people find jobs, build their businesses, supply their communities with the goods they need —and improve their lives.
All stories about Economic opportunity
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Indonesia: Empowerment Through Gardening December 21, 2007
The women of Mirik Lamreudup village are not only winning awards for their organic agriculture, but sharing their newfound success with other women in the area. Most of them are survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami. All of them have made great strides in the last three years.
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Indonesia: Annisah: An Acehnese Woman's Spirit December 14, 2007
“I will do anything to increase my family’s income as long as it’s legal,” said Annisah, a 30-year-old woman who is part of Mercy Corps' Aceh Recovery Program. But her words sound more like purpose than desperation. Since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, she's known plenty of the latter.
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Nepal: The Last Girl In School November 26, 2007
As school began again this year, Anita Chaudhary was prepared to spend back-to-school day as she had for the last few years: at home. She was certain that, once again, she'd watch from the doorway of her family's tiny house as dozens of neighbor children passed by on their way to class.
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Nepal: Optimism and Action Transform a Village November 26, 2007
7:00-8:00 A.M. - High school study group 6:00-7:30 P.M. - Pre-school children’s learning group 8:00-9:00 P.M. - Adult literacy class
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Nepal: Rising From Violence November 26, 2007
The attackers came in the blaze of daylight on August 25, carrying a dead body inside the first of a procession of cars. They parked their Jeeps and motorcycles along the side of the blacktop highway, descended from their vehicles and rushed 50 feet into the makeshift village.
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Nepal: Change Begins Within November 26, 2007
More than 20 years ago, a 14-year-old Nepalese student began a movement to free his people — and succeeded. Today his organization is partnering with Mercy Corps to ensure not just freedom, but opportunity.
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Nepal: After Slavery, Unshackling Potential November 26, 2007
At the end of pestilence, a plague of other problems came to southwestern Nepal.
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Somalia: Helping Somalia's Marginalized Minority November 5, 2007
Borini, Somalia — Even by Somali standards, the local Bantus have it tough.
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Uganda: After Twenty Years, Almost Home October 31, 2007
Oyere, Uganda - John Bosco Akello is an important leader in this village — deputy chief, pastor, model farmer — at a time when leadership is vitally important.
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United States: Video: Deconstruction Documentary October 30, 2007