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	USAID Information: USAID Country Page More Stories from Moldova FY 2009 Congressional Budget Justification Mission Web Site Selected Reports from the USAID Document Database Moldova Country Profile (63kb pdf) External Links: U.S. State Department Background Notes CIA World Factbook

First Person

Photo: Maura Schwartz

Members of Javlacta Business Cooperative hold up a piece of sweet cheese, a product made from their milk.

Members of Javlacta Business Cooperative in Moldova were unsure of where their milk went after being delivered to the collection tanks. Maura Schwartz, a USAID Farmer to Farmer volunteer from Oregon, did more than show the cooperatives the value of their raw product - she also increased members' understanding of their impact on the dairy market.

Javlacta needed to be better organized, train their board of directors, and give members a reason to participate in the cooperative. Maura Schwartz, through several business cooperative trainings, introduced Javlacta members to methods of attracting new members and organizing annual meetings. The board members participated in training on a regular basis to ensure they had a clear understanding of basic responsibilities. Guidance was also provided on adjusting the cooperative charter to observe current interests and future development trends. With this training provided by The Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs and funded by USAID, producers were able to envision the value of their organization and are becoming increasingly involved in its future.

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