I've posted several times about the micro finance ministry that Students International started this year. The ministry involves group lending to women and on-going business coaching. This summer Ryan, the one in charge of leading micro finance, expanded the ministry to include a program for young boys. The idea was to give boys the opportunity to learn basic business principles like the value of hard work, hard work produces income, and the wisdom of saving. The business lessons take on a practical hands-on approach - learning through doing projects.
Ryan meets with the boys weekly. He begins each meeting with a bible lesson. He demands their respect and mentors them like a father. They love Ryan. When I go into the community they always ask me, "Where's Ryan? Is he coming today?"
Ryan gives job opportunities to the boys - jobs like picking up trash in the community, weeding at the Students International preschool, etc. He also bought buckets, sponges, and car washing soap that the boys could use to get motorcyle washing jobs.
When the boys complete a job, Ryan checks to see if it was done well. A job well done, earns them "Ryan dollars", fake dollars that feature Ryan's face instead of George Washington's.
Ryan dollars can then be used to buy items at the Ryan Store. Ryan stocks things like kites, shoes, sun glasses, yo-yos and other neat things that boys dream about.
Ryan gives job opportunities to the boys - jobs like picking up trash in the community, weeding at the Students International preschool, etc. He also bought buckets, sponges, and car washing soap that the boys could use to get motorcyle washing jobs.
When the boys complete a job, Ryan checks to see if it was done well. A job well done, earns them "Ryan dollars", fake dollars that feature Ryan's face instead of George Washington's. 
1 comment:
Go Ryan! The creativity is incredible. Who knows: some of these boys might grow up to be the next leading business execs in the DR.
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