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Current page: Home > about us > ED USA > history History of Excellent Development USA
While traveling in North Africa in 2006, Thomas Cooper, the current President of ED USA, met Simon Maddrell, Excellent Development’s co-founder, who ‘planted the seed’ of ED UK’s interest in opening a chapter of the non-profit in the US. Cautious and sincere about his affiliations with ‘causes’, Thomas began to research the legitimacy of ED’s work and soon realized that no current non-profits were addressing these peoples’ strong needs.
To consider the undertaking and if the non-profit was to be successful, Thomas would need to trust the expertise and commitment of others. After having traveled to Kenya in 2007 to meet with Joshua Mukusya, co-founder of Excellent Development (Kenya) and to see their offices and projects, Thomas could see the real trustworthiness and potential for the mission.
Upon his return to the US he was met with the assurance of other potential board members’ commitment and guidance; namely Wendy Merdian a fellow American who was a friend of Joshua’s, had traveled extensively in Kenya and knew well the initiatives of Excellent Development; along with Simon Maddrell, whose vision and persistence has grown the non-profit from its inception. Wendy Merdian, current Vice-president of ED USA, lived in Kenya from 1980-1981 where she studied traditional and appropriate technologies and worked on a fuel-efficient cook stove project. During that time she met and became friends with Joshua Mukusya. She was able to see the early work he had initiated in his community, be inspired by his leadership ability, and experience his vision, energy and passion for helping local communities to help themselves. In 2006 she reconnected with Joshua, learned of his tremendous progress with the support of Excellent Development, and felt compelled to visit Kenya again. During that second visit she met with many of the self-help groups working with Excellent Development Kenya, and was impressed with their work and enthusiasm. With a renewed interest in involvement with development work in Kenya – and in meeting with Simon Maddrell to discuss a possible US branch of Excellent Development, Wendy began taking fund raising management classes. In November of 2008 Simon, Thomas and Wendy met in New York to lay the foundation for Excellent Development USA.
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