What began with a few women has now exploded into an amazing network of women working toward self-sustainability through the ministry of Heart of God International Ministries in Africa. The beautiful widows in the photo are now working to help one another through a newly formed community savings program.
Heart of God Africa, under the leadership of Denise Matthews, Executive Director, worked with a local partner to secure land and provide a building specifically for this program. Once completed, the program gained legitimacy in the local community as each widow began to bring a small amount each week that is added to the ledger. The women are then able to borrow against their own funds and build up their own businesses. Most of them would not qualify for a bank loan due to their social status. This program is empowering them in many ways!
Alice N. shared her experience in this new and growing program:
1)As a group we are able to understand one another’s problems and help in any possible manner.
2) Helps us keep hygiene and sanitation in our homes.
3) Helps us encourage one another about the importance of food security.
Florence M. is so excited and wants everyone to know how this new program has impacted her life:
1) It helps us learn new ideas.
2) It makes us keep busy to raise money for savings or even paying back the loan taken.
3) It helps us create income-generating activities.
4) We now have a voice and can be recognized as widows
The start-up cost for this program is $40 for each widow. This gives them the basis to build their business by borrowing and repaying the loan. Once she is established and her business is meeting her needs, she reinvests her money in a new member of the group as she begins the micro-loan program.
The Community Widows Program Building Under Construction
This program began with just a handful of women and has now exploded into a self-sustainable program meeting the needs of numerous families in the community.
Your gift on #GivingTuesday continues to give to women like these … those who are working hard to earn a living and become financially independent while giving to others. We thank God for your partnership in this and other Heart of God International Ministries programs which eternally impact men, women and children in some of the world’s most impoverished areas.
