MED Highlight: One World Shop Fair Trade Flea!

This past Saturday (9/19), One World Shop in Rocky River hosted an outdoor Fair Trade Flea at the Rocky River United Methodist Church parking lot. The Flea hosted three immigrants and refugees in US Together’s Micro-Enterprise Development program (MED)!

Adolphe Musanga with his book, From Congo to Cleveland

This program, led by Tiffany Baccus, aims to boost self-confidence and self-sufficiency in refugees and immigrants through business startups. In 12 weeks, participants learn financial literacy, life skills, digital literacy, vocational ESL, and small business training. All participants are matched with a mentor, set up a bank account, and participate in pre-loan assistance. They are also eligible to apply for a  loan after the completion of classes. The MED program collaborates with Lakewood High School, John Carroll University, ECDI, SCORE, and Case Western Reserve to provide support, training, field trips, mentoring, and tutoring.

The refugee and immigrants who have been through our MED program and were at the Fair Trade Flea this past Saturday include Mohamad Al-Masri from Syria, founder of Syrian Soul Bracelets; Adolphe Musanga from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, author of From Congo to Cleveland; and Kubra Alhilali from Iraq, founder of Kubra Kulshi and Kalashi (paintings). The Flea has an amazing turnout and Mohamad, Adolphe, and Kubra were able to be out in the community and share their amazing creations with all who attended!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the One World Shop Fair Trade Flea and supported our amazing immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs, and be on the lookout for future events like this one!

Kubra Alhilali’s paintings

Mohamad Al-Masri with his Syrian Soul Bracelets