Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the first issue of "WhatWorks," EnterpriseWorks Worldwide's monthly interactive newsletter.  We hope you find it informative and enjoyable and that it provides a fresh perspective on what does work in the field of small enterprise development and poverty reduction.

EnterpriseWorks is leading the way in harnessing the power of small businesses and technology to help the poor in the developing world.  With 25 years of experience on three continents, and 17 current projects in 12 countries in Africa and Asia, EWW works with local businesses to build local capacity and increase employment, entrepreneurship, and prosperity.  Our work focuses on key sectors including irrigated horticulture, tree crops, oilseeds and staple foods, household energy, natural products (enterprise-based biodiversity conservation), and potable water.  We are working on innovative approaches in new areas as well.

In our debut issue, we share the story of Guinea-Bissau, a small, post-civil war country in West Africa that is competing in the global cashew market, in part through the assistance of EnterpriseWorks.  In addition, we show how creative marketing is building demand and brand loyalty for locally produced treadle pumps and charcoal stoves in Ghana.  You can also read about our public-private partnership with USAID and Fludor that is training farmers in Benin to grow sunflowers.

At EnterpriseWorks, we are truly fighting poverty with profit.  It's the most effective form of development assistance, and our results - sustainable, far reaching and life changing - speak for themselves.

I look forward to keeping you updated about our activities and hearing your thoughts about our work.

Sincerely,
Nancy Bearg
President & CEO
EnterpriseWorks Worldwide