19 November 2007
MRDF conference celebrates going from strength to strength in Africa
The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is
holding its first conference for African partner organisations from
22-26 November 2007. The conference, entitled Strength to Strength,
will be held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Representatives
from 29 local partner organisations based in 11 African countries
will be taking part.
There will be a packed schedule of workshops on issues such as
HIV/AIDS, advocacy, sustainable agriculture and financial planning,
but most importantly there will also be opportunities for delegates
to share their own stories, advice and experiences with one
another. Those closer to home can find out the latest news from the
Strength to Strength daily blog, available at www.mrdf.org.uk .
Francis Njuakom is travelling from Cameroon to attend the
conference. He is the director of an MRDF partner organisation that
runs social and income-generating clubs for poor and isolated
elderly people. He says: "It will be such a lovely and enriching
experience to have MRDF's most trusted partners across Africa to
come together and share the magic of differences that we are all
using in our various organisations to transform lives and
communities."
Margaret Nakato is the co-ordinator of a women's development
project in rural Uganda. She explains why she feels that this
conference is so important: "I believe when there is face to face
interaction, people relax and get to know each other better. In the
process they share a lot of information about themselves and the
work they are doing. Some of this will be unique and provide new
insights. I am looking forward to hearing those stories that are
difficult or are not normally put in writing."
MRDF Director Kirsty Smith, says: "At MRDF, we are very excited
about this opportunity for our partners to get together and share
their knowledge and experience. Good financial management or
strategic planning may not sound very glamorous, compared to buying
goats or sinking wells, but only well run, financially sound
organisations can improve the lives of poor communities in the long
term. Training events, like this conference, help ensure that money
from our supporters is well managed and that programmes are
delivered by well equipped and trained staff. By sharing skills and
resources, we can all become stronger."