Geoff in the Dominican Republic

Geoff was in the Dominican Republic a few weeks ago.  I'm still learning exactly what he is working on, but let me give an explanation a go...

At the temple in the D.R.

The LDS church is looking to provide a system and resources that will help its impoverished members get out of poverty.  There are three ways in which they will do this (Geoff oversees all three).  First, basic job placement.  Maybe the person has some training or education, yet can't find a job.  The job placement arm has been around for awhile and will continue to be expanded in its ability and capacity to find members work.  Second, through the Perpetual Education Fund members can get a loan to go to school.  As these members apply for the loan they will be counseled on what the local job market looks like, and what degrees will most likely end up in a job after graduation.  Third, self-employment training to start or build a business.  This has taken most of Geoff's focus this past year and is a new methodology he and his team have created to help people start or grow a small business.  Most people that currently run small businesses are selling things but barely cover their costs.  Groups of business owners will take a course and be mentored on business basics.  He has been creating, and will continue to fine-tune, a basic course manual that can be duplicated around the world.  In the Domincan Republic he was starting field-tests of this course in its 1.0 version; this is also being tested in Ghana.

He plans to launch early next year and expects to refine it with continual updates over the next few years as it improves.  He is monitoring results carefully and gathering feedback from the participants to on how to design and improve the program/course.  This is not how things typically work in the church, but it is how they will work in this endeavor!  It is exciting to see how it is unfolding.  He hopes that once it is up and running with the church in a more perfected state he can open it up to all micro-credit institutions around the world.

While in the D.R. he made a little time to sit on the beach and play in the waves.  It was his birthday treat to himself.

Geoff sends emails and fun pictures to the girls when he travels.  This little crab was a favorite picture this trip.