Business Training Class Graduation

On the first Saturday in December, Partners for Christian Development-Ecuador (PCD-E) held the final class of its third business training course in Quito, Ecuador.  Twelve weeks earlier, the PCD-E training team eagerly awaited the arrival of the first businesspeople at the doors of the classroom.  This Saturday also involved a high level of energy and excitement as the participants completed the last step in this business course and began the first steps in the next part of their story.  For some that might be the start of a new business, and for others the implementation of new ideas to stimulate further growth in an existing business.

After the board president, an Ecuadorian lawyer, gave the final lesson on legal requirements for businesses, the class participants received a call from two members of the Global Business Affiliate (the Ecuador GBA is composed of about 10 US businesspeople).  Along with giving personal congratulations to each of the five businesspeople who were to graduate that day, the GBA members emphasized the importance of pursuing one's plans goals and trusting that with God we can achieve great things.  Everyone was grateful to be able to share time together that transcended the distance between GBA members in the US and the training classes in Ecuador.

After receiving their course certificates, the five graduates and one non-graduating participant were joined by three PCD-E board members for a celebratory lunch prepared by Monica (a successful new restaurant owner already featured in this blog).  Monica shared a part of her story, telling how she was able to grow and learn from hard experiences to become the businesswoman she is today.

As the culmination of 12 weeks of working, learning, and building relationships together, the graduation brought high hopes for future opportunities.  Just as the graduates will take advantage of the opportunities available to them in their businesses, the PCD-E board is looking forward to implementing ideas to improve the fourth business training class.  The team looks forward to starting an even better business training course in March.  Before then, trainings will also begin in the city of Cuenca and the farming community of Las Mercedes (see Las Mercedes story from July!)