HISTORY

In 2002, we moved into an urban slum in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The aim was to find a sustainable method for community transformation. The staff adopted a slow learning posture to understand the problems faced by the urban poor. In an attempt to come close to their neighbors, they chose to live in simple homes, eat traditional meals, wear local clothes, learn the language, ask questions and make friends. While initially working in the area of malnutrition, it quickly became clear that the root causes of poverty were not being addressed.

Among the poor, they noted that only those with stable jobs, even low paying stable jobs, were capable of thinking big-picture about themselves and their communities. These individuals were also more able to consider long lasting changes. However, in the urban poor context, those with stable incomes were few. The business environment lacks funding, is burdened by corruption, and does not have the tools to creatively adapt to new social pressures. And so, UID was born in 2005. 

We are now a multinational team, composed of primarily US nationals and now team members from Central and South America. It has been a great joy to see countries like Honduras give some of their brightest and most motivated people to work in places like Mauritania. As a team we speak English, French and Spanish on a regular basis, and we hope this multi-racial, and multi-lingual cooperation can serve as a further example to racial tensions being lived out in Mauritania at this time. This celebration of diversity is further expressed by the national languages

 

VALUES

Servant Leadership
Accountability
Solid relationships
Integrity
Target multiple causes of poverty
Positive culture change
Live in the neighborhood
Learn local languages and culture
Future focused – next generation
Professionalism in development
Target working poor (not the poorest of the poor)
Responding and building on felt needs
Local production + materials first
Real business
Ethical business
A desire for change
End poverty… tomorrow
Sustainability

 

THEORY OF TRANSFORMATION

As we seek transformation in our communities, we aim to see:

  1. Enhanced Civic Participation for the Common Good

  2. Improved Accessibility to Life-Enhancing Learning

  3. Expanded Opportunities to Achieve Economic Sufficiency

  4. Increased Psychological Health and Freedom from Destructive Patterns

  5. Developed Environmental and Public Health

  6. Family Health and Well-Being

  7. Presence of systems that work for

 

TOLERANCE

Given that UID is working at the intersection between East and West
It would be helpful to clarify our stance on religious practice

Religion can be a huge agent for positive change
It can also blind and destroy

UID does not seek the conversion of anyone
Nor do we hope religion will go away

All religions teach love
All religions teach peace
All religions teach tolerance

We believe all have a right to think freely
Even to assume they have a better faith than others
This is normal
Why would we believe the way we did if not?

Yet in our certainty
We must be certain about tolerance
We also need to live with others
Who don’t always think the same
We must be sure to know God is the judge

We are merely human
All too quick to error
God will forgive some humility

Let’s focus on love, peace, and tolerance