Colleen Dyble
Education: George Mason University
Position: Development and Marketing Specialist
Partner: ECLOF-Peru
How did you first hear about Five Talents International?
Prior to moving to becoming a Five Talents fellow, I spent eight years at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation working to promote market-based solutions to poverty alleviation and economic growth by providing management training, financial resources, and contacts to think tank leaders around the world. It was through this work and my involvement with The Falls Church, that I learned about the work of Five Talents International. Hannah Coyne, a former employee, told me about the fellowship opportunity in the spring of 2009 during a workout at Planet Fitness in Falls Church, VA.
What drew you to Five Talents' mission?
I was attracted to Five Talents´ sustainable approach to development which utilizes microcredits, business training and spiritual development to equip poor entrepreneurs to improve their own situations, rather than offering hand-outs. I was particularly impressed with its model of partnering with local organizations and churches. I have a passion for engaging in poverty alleviation and economic development through entrepreneurship, and so I was also very interested in using microfinance as a tool for cultivating small businesses in poor communities.
What was most inspiring about your time in Peru?
Without a doubt, meeting ECLOF-Peru clients in Lima, Huancavelica and Puno has been the most inspiring part of my time here. I have been humbled by their capacity to overcome dire situations of poverty, abuse and illness as well their perseverance to continue to fight to improve the quality of life of their family.
What was the highlight of your experience?
It is a toss up. Eating cuy (guinea pig) with a side of potatoes for dinner in Castrovirreyna or hugging an alpaca in Huancavelica (which returned my hug by trying to spit on me and kick me in the shin).
How did your time at ECLOF grow you in your walk with the Lord or change or expand your view of Christ’s Kingdom?
While working at ECLOF-Peru, I have learned that poverty is not just about material deprivation, rather it is about brokenness of foundation relationships; with God, self, others and creation. Through Five Talents and ECLOF-Peru, I have seen how God is restoring these relationships and transforming the lives of poor Peruvian entrepreneurs by giving them a sense of dignity, hope and identity. Pursing their God-given callings through their businesses is allowing them to provide for themselves and their families and work toward breaking generational cycles of poverty.
Why should someone be a Five Talents Fellow?
As a Five Talents Fellow, you have the opportunity to be involved in transforming lives of the poor; from feeling downtrodden and desperate to being self-sufficient and productive members of their communities. You will be engaging in activities that bring hope and the good news of Christ to those that feel unloved. You will see how loan "solidarity groups" and/or savings groups bring people together in relationship and provide venues for building up trust and community. You will be involved in cultivating small businesses in poor communities and promoting entrepreneurship as a tool for creating jobs, fighting poverty and improving lives. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
Anne Figge
Education: International Development, University of Bristol, UK
Position: Business Skills Counselor and Trainer
Partner: Mama Bahati Foundation-Tanzania
How did you first hear about Five Talents International?
I used FTI's resources page while doing research for my MSC and looked to see if they were offering any work. I remember thinking that I would love to be able to work with an organisation such as this.
What drew you to Five Talents' mission?
The fact that Five Talents recognizes and speaks to the hard work and dignity of the poor by striving to release their talents through opprotunities to access small-scale finance and savings services.
What was most inspiring about your time in Tanzania?
Seeing how hard the local staff work on behalf of their clients. As they say in the field, each one has the "heart of a pastor, a mind of a banker and the stamina of a marine"!
What was the highlight of your experience?
There was no one particular experience. It was all hugely rewarding. I suppose just the privledge of working with and learning from the staff at MBF day in and day our as they served their clients and tried to grow the organizations.
How did your time at Mama Bahati Foundation grow you in your walk with the Lord or change or expand your view of Christ’s Kingdom?
God is so practical! Never doubt that He will provide you with whatever you need to accomplish His purposes!
Why should someone be a Five Talents Fellow?
Professionally, it's an oppotunity to share your skills but more importantly learn from practitioners in the fled. Personally, be prepared to be welcomed and inspired by amazing people, who are working so hard for their families, communities and God. Spiritually, it's a chance to see God moving in amazing ways, often far outside your normal frame of reference.
Erik Josephson
Education: Philosophy, University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Position: Operations Advisor (grant writing, translation, Web site design, video production)
Partner: ECLOF-Peru
How did you first hear about Five Talents International?
I worked at Goldman Sachs in London for five years, and in May 2006 they organized a roundtable discussion on microfinance. I’d never heard of microfinance, but I was absolutely hooked because the subject of poverty always interested me. But finding a sustainable way to fix the problem instead of just donating money to people was the key. Six months later, I made the decision that it was time to go. I asked around the firm and was put in touch with Charles Eve [a partner at Goldman Sachs], a member of the Five Talents UK board of trustees.
What was most inspiring about your time in Peru?
Prior to going to Peru, I hadn’t spent much time among people of a vastly different socioeconomic class than my own. It was really affirming to meet quite a few people who really don’t have very much and to see how they live with real optimism and faith and ambition.
Why should someone be a Five Talents Fellow?
Five Talents is a fantastic organization, with a fantastic mission and vision. They’re doing extremely good work and are staffed with lovely people, who are very knowledgeable and know how to go about achieving their goals of poverty reduction.
Simon Lee
Education: Engineering, Durham University, UK
Position: Technical Advisor (working with staff on reporting, processes, systems, staff training events, finance)
Partner: Five Talents-Uganda
What drew you to Five Talents' mission?
I'm a Christian, and I'm an accountant, and consequently I believe in microfinance and particularly in any institution that uses microfinance more from a social (and Christian) perspective than merely a commercial one. It is every Christian's duty to 'love their neighbor' and for me that meant working with Five Talents to 'fight poverty, create jobs and transform lives.'
Why should someone be a Five Talents Fellow?
For me, volunteering with Five Talents has exposed me to a different country, different culture, different work and different challenges, not to mention a different social scene and my new bride! Five Talents has transformed my life, not just those of the entrepreneurs we are aiming to help. I can't recommend it strongly enough.
Edd Parker
Education: Business Administration and Sociology, Aston University, UK
Position: Developed computerized loan tracking system
Partner: Mama Bahati Foundation-Tanzania
What was the highlight of your experience?
I really enjoyed building relationships with both the team and clients, particularly when I had opportunities to pray for them in times when they were struggling.
What draws you to Five Talents’ mission?
God spoke to me through Isaiah 58: “Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors. Feed the hungry and help those in trouble then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around will you will be as bright as day. The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be a well watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” I felt like Five Talents’ mission was one that fit this call that God makes to his people.
Why should someone be a Five Talents Fellow?
Partnership and relationship are such important parts to effective foreign aid and this is a way that people can show that their concern for the poor goes beyond giving money but time and love as well.
How did your time at Mama Bahati Foundation grow you in your walk with the Lord or change or expand your view of Christ’s Kingdom?
It helped me to see a fulfillment of some of the promises that God made throughout the Old Testament and to see how many people are passionate about God’s heart for the poor being lived out in our lifetime.
