2011: A Banner Year in the Fight Against Poverty

This past year was one of upheaval across the world. But for millions of people in the developing world, 2011 was simply about survival. The burdens of poverty make it difficult to focus on anything but meeting basic needs. Education, nutrition and health care all take a backseat when people are struggling just to feed their families.

TechnoServe’s mission is to help people break this cycle of poverty. We empower men and women to build thriving farms, businesses and industries that create economic opportunities for those who need them most. When equipped with the right skills and knowledge, people in developing countries can create lasting benefits for their families and communities.

In 2011, TechnoServe had some notable achievements:

• We launched several innovative new programs. For the first time, TechnoServe is working in Zimbabwe to strengthen businesses and create new opportunities for smallholder farmers. In Haiti, we are assisting promising small businesses to develop Haiti’s economy and create jobs. And in Nicaragua, TechnoServe is helping more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs to strengthen their business skills and access new markets.
   
• We partnered with Peace One Day to show that peace and prosperity go hand in hand. Together, we celebrated the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, and TechnoServe joined the call for a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012. Read my blog post to learn more about the virtuous circle of economic development and peace.
   
• Women are the key to promoting healthier, happier families and communities. We celebrated International Women’s Day in March, but we also worked each day to create economic opportunities for women across the globe – from cashew factories in West Africa to the slums of Nairobi to a recycling business in Chile.
   
• Each week, TechnoServe offered a glimpse into our work and the people we help through Photo Friday, a recurring feature on our blog. Our readers met people like Mónica Jacinto, a fruit juice entrepreneur in Guatemala. They visited dairy plants in Kenya, coffee cooperatives in Honduras and cashew factories in Mozambique. Be sure to visit our website each week in 2012 to see more of our work.
   
• TechnoServe received considerable recognition for the effectiveness of our work. Outside magazine selected us as one of its top-30 nonprofits. We were featured in reports and books on food security, business models that benefit poor people and youth entrepreneurship. And Charity Navigator, the premier evaluator of U.S. nonprofits, gave TechnoServe its highest four-star rating for the fifth consecutive year.

All in all, 2011 has been a banner year for TechnoServe. We need your help to carry this momentum into 2012. Contributions from supporters like you create a lasting impact for poor communities. Please consider making a donation to TechnoServe – and help families to thrive, not just survive.

Sincerely,

Bruce McNamer, President and CEO