It’s been a month now since Marie-Eve Lacasse and Tim Steed began their volunteer posting in Peru as part of Export Development Canada's Global Community Investment Initiative with CARE Canada. Their first report indicates that, by all accounts, they’re getting the job done along with their new colleagues in CARE Peru.
Located primarily in the Huaraz province of Peru, their responsibilities involve coaching six micro-businesses which are variously small business owners, farmers and agricultural cooperatives. The entreprises produce agricultural crops or raise animals. The businesses, farms or co-ops grow corn and corn seeds, strawberries, raise small livestock, guinea pigs and produce dairy products.
The EDC volunteers work closely with a team of agronomists and an economist helping the entrepreneurs with skills such as business management, understanding financial statements, managing accounts receivables and payables, meeting regulatory requirements and assessing the feasibility of entrepreneurial opportunities.
Their experience is not without its challenges, including poor telecommunications and transportation infrastructure; the roads in mountainous Peru often hamper their ability to visit the businesses with which they work.
For example, one of the businesses is about 80 km away ‘as the crow flies’. However, by road, it is three mountain passes away resulting in a 220 km journey often with breakdowns and detours that can add hours to the journey.
Regardless, Tim and Marie-Eve are incredibly busy and taking it all in stride. Read all about their experiences here.
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