MBAs Without Borders - HEC Montréal

Our time in Banda

Félix-A. Boudreault — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:16:50 +0000

We have spent the past week without electricity, running water or connection to the rest of the world, immersed in the rural village of Banda, surrounded by acres of hills, the Nyungwe rainforest and an entourage of curious children.

This is where Kageno has been working since 2007 with the objective to reduce poverty and create economic opportunities in the community by improving water sanitation and providing basic healthcare and education. So far, they have increased access to clean water, built a health clinic and will soon open a pharmacy, a community centre and a nursery school.

Health clinic constructed by Kageno in Banda

In front of the Kageno office in Banda with our "entourage"

Water is flowing in Banda thanks to Kageno!

In order to create employment and economic opportunities for the local population, as well as ensure the conservation of Nyungwe, Kageno plans to open an eco-lodge. As part of our mandate to develop the business plan for this lodge, we visited local associations and cooperatives with the goal of identifying tourism packages that include both nature trips to Nyungwe and cultural activities that build on local craftsmanship (basket weaving, traditional rituals, dance and music). We also worked with Kageno’s social coordinator, Élisé, to create appropriate jobs based on education levels and local capacity.

Banda troop performing an Intore traditional dance

Basket weaving by local women in Banda

Visiting the future ecolodge site with Élisé

The fact that the village is untouched by western influences, coupled with the pristine nature of its surroundings, will provide tourists with a truly unique experience.

The Banda Team (Jessica, Stéphanie, Annie, Félix, Claudel)

Business in Guatemala

ddamata — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:17:40 +0000

Part of the group travelled to Guatemala City to meet with various local suppliers, in order to find new sources of raw materials ranging from organic cotton, fabric, zippers, precious stones, an assortment of beads, and precious metals. Our objective was to initiate the relationship with suppliers on behalf of Mercado Global, and then evaluate each supplier based on a list of predetermined criteria.

We quickly realized that doing business in Guatemala is very different. The importance of face to face interaction is crucial. In addition, being foreigners gave us instant credibility with suppliers. Business here is based on forging a strong relationship in order to facilitate trade. For example, credit terms are not based on financial credentials, but rather on trust between the seller and the buyer. There are also no formal contracts that are signed in order to do business.

These are some photos of some of the vendors we met, and some samples of products we were sourcing. Our visits in the capital were very successful.

Mercado Global Video

ddamata — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:57:11 +0000

This is a short clip showing the local operations of Mercado Global in Panajachel, Guatemala. We were surprised when we arrived on site, as we expected operations to be much larger. However, Mercado Global’s office here in Pana has only 3 permanent employees: Delia Mendoza, the Guatemala Operations Director, Elma Morales, who is responsible for coordinating woven productions, and Lidia Garcia, who is in charge of jewellery production. There is also an accountant working in this office, but only on a part time basis. The Mercado Global office coordinates production operations of many women cooperatives all over rural Guatemala. The staff is also responsible for sourcing raw materials and training the members of the women cooperatives. As you could imagine, this coordination process is very complex because of production taking place in remote locations. This represents a number of unique challenges which are non-existent in traditional production facilities.

First Three Days in Pana

ddamata — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:14:25 +0000

Our work in Panajachel continues…

In the past two days we visited the offices of Mercado Global in Panajachel. We had a meeting with key local staff (Lidia, Delia and Elma) and we were extremely impressed with the ladies’ knowledge and professionalism. They filled us in on the activities of Mercado Global and some of the challenges they face in their day to day operations.

We also met with Emelia, the volunteer coordinator, and some of the volunteers working for Mercado Globa from the US. On the day of our visit, one of the volunteers was providing training on how to make jewellery.

Mercado Global works with local women cooperatives in Guatemala and they offer these women a market to sell their beautiful handcrafted goods. Women working in the cooperative have the opportunity to earn 3-4 times more than what they would usually make. Some of the challenges Mercado Global is currently facing are related to sourcing raw material including finding reliable and timely suppliers and finding quality and variety material (beads, organic cotton). Our mandate is to help with this challenges. So, we spent the day yesterday booking appointments with potential suppliers in “La Ciudad” (Guatemala City), Antigua and the surrounding area of Lake Atitlan. Early next week we will do our rounds of visits on the secured appointments.

Stay tuned!

African massage…

jessipoo — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:55:45 +0000

Muraho (bonjour en kinyarwanda…)

Depuis notre arrivée au Rwanda il y a une semaine, nous nous faisons masser le dos par les routes rwandaises… Alex, notre guide et chauffeur, navigue du mieux qu’il le peut entre les nids de poule, les chèvres, les troncs d’arbre, les vélos, les villageois, les enfants, etc.

Certains d’entre nous avons donc des petits maux de dos… une chance que Félix a emmené du Robaxacet… Mais le paysage en vaut la peine! Nous avons longé pendant 2 jours le lac Kivu, qui est un des grands lacs d’Afrique et qui est la frontière naturelle avec le Congo (RDC).

Nous quittons aujourd’hui Cyangugu, dernière ville avant la forêt Nyungwe, là ou nous passerons les 10 prochains jours dans le villagede Banda. Le village n’a pas encore d’électricité ni de réseau cellulaire alors nous ne pourrons pas vous donnez de nouvelles durant cette période.

À plus

Équipe Rwanda

A local tour operator who is making a difference…

jessipoo — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:39:49 +0000

At the onset of our trip, in the city of Ruhengeri in Virunga (Volcanoes) National Park, we met with Greg from Amahoro Tours. In 2002, Greg founded this responsible tourism organization that focuses on ensuring that tourism contributes to developing the local community.
He considers it important for tourists to interact with the local population so that tourists can learn about development challenges and opportunities and for the locals to engage in and benefit from the growing tourism industry in the region. He thus facilitates visits and volunteering programs with women weaving associations, bee keepers, traditional healer and orphanages.

You can visit Amahoro Tours website at
http://www.amahoro-tours.com/

Rwanda Team

Arrival in Panajachel

ddamata — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:43:13 +0000

We arrived in Guatemala city yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, Jorge missed his flight because of difficulties with customs. He was re-routed on different flights, arrived in Guatemala in the evening, and spent the night in Guatemala City, since the commute to Panajachel takes few hours.

The rest of the group arrived in Panajachel in the afternoon. We were greeted by the owners of our quaint B&B. We toured the town … it’s quite charming… friendly people, great local restaurants street vendors, and lots of stray dogs everywhere…

Today, we arrived at Mercado Global and met with the local women who coordinate operations here in Panajachel.

We also visited the famous Lake Atlitlan. It’s a massive lake bordered by three volcanoes, which we hope to hike up this weekend.

Here are some videos introducing you to Panajachel and Lake Atlitlan.

Check in soon…

Team Guatemala

Arrival at Rwanda

Mauricio Idarraga — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:10:58 +0000

Bonjour a tous!

Just a quick message to say hi and tell you that we did safely arrive in beautiful Kigali this morning, after 2 days of travelling. Unfortunatly, our luggages (4 out of 4) didn t follow….oh well! We went around the city today with our guide Alex (he will be with us for the whole trip) and it s a marvelous place, full of hills, very clean and with friendly people.
If we re able to get our luggages tomorrow in the flight from Nairobi, we will probably leave for the country to start our tour of Rwanda, if not, we will go see the Genocide memorial.

De beaux bonjours du pays des milles collines!!

Stephanie, Jessica, Felix and Annie

Rwanda Team Leaving Today

jessipoo — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:16:53 +0000

Only a couple of more hours and we will be on the plane to Rwanda. The past couple of days have been quite hectic as we tried to get everything organized before we head out. We really could not have done it without the support of both the MBA without Borders team and the Kageno team, who have really been there to guide us and support throughout our preparation.

In less than 48 hours, we will be in Kigali, awaiting our next adventure. Until then!

Team Rwanda

Projects Featured on the HEC Montréal Website

Mauricio Idarraga — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:41:55 +0000

Both MBAs Without Borders Teams were featured in the HEC Montréal website. Read the note here: http://www.hec.ca/en/headlines/2008/2008046.html

A few pictures posted:

The Guatemala team, from left to right – Fabio Carriero, Rana Abu Naameh,
Jorge Robles, Mauricio Idarraga et Dominic D’Amata

The Rwanda team, from left to right – Stéphanie Émond, Claudel Tchokonté,
Jessica Sharafi, Félix Boudreault et Annie Saumier