A World Of DifferenceA microfranchise program seeks to reduce poverty in underdeveloped countries.

Working to bring the franchising model to underdevelopedcountries, Microfranchise Development Corp.'s new program willallow entrepreneurs to make a difference with their businesses inways that go beyond their pocketbooks. Developed in cooperationwith the Organization of American States: Trust for the Americas,the Micro-franchise Education and Loan (MEL) Program will operatefrom MEL Business Centers. The idea: Take existing products andservices and bundle them as stand-alone microfranchises that serveas easily managed business opportunities for citizens ofpoverty-stricken countries.

"Often [these] people aren't trained to beself-employed and have no cutting-edge ideas for business availableto them," says program creator Marc Blumenthal. "Ibelieve franchising can offer them a sustained approach toemployment that will have an impact on [theircommunities]."