Field Stories
We praise and thank God for the many stories of families and communities who are freed from poverty thanks to your generous support and our local partners. These are their stories.
Stories of Transformation
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As the wind howled outside of his small home, Kebede tried to find some sense of peace and calm. The storm arrived suddenly and the rain was pooling in the corners of the single room of his house. Kebede’s seven children were huddled together trying to sleep, sneezing and coughing as the rain water continued to pour through.
A phone call was about to change Geoffrey Mwansia’s life. Since 2008, Geoffrey had been working with non-profit organizations in Kenya. He specifically worked with programs serving people with HIV/AIDs and programs for children and families. Geoffrey loved working with people in need, but wanted to return to his home county of Kitui, where poverty was rampant.
Zipporah Musembi was humiliated. She had approached yet another family member to ask for a loan, only to be denied again. She knew this meant her two boys would miss another month of school since she couldn’t afford the monthly fees with her income.
The mother of four young children was struggling to provide for her family. As a single parent, she was able to apply for financial assistance from the government but it was miniscule and still didn’t help make ends meet.
Rev. Vyaera has a heart for ministry and for his community. Through church empowerment programs, people like you are helping his church reach out and meet the physical and spiritual needs in the community.
A Grade Seven graduate with no formal leadership training and four children at home is not who you would expect to change her community. Despite her lack of formal education, Janet John initiated, trained, and now oversees 15 savings groups in her community in Tanzania!
When Bamni's husband was bit by a snake a died she was devastaed. But she didn't give up. Thanks to you she now has a better hope for the future.
John Katosa and his wife Ester Juan have never known security. But when they fled their village in Kajo Keji because of conflict it took on a new meaning. They lived in the refugee camp for years, anxious for the chance to return home.
The phone continued to ring. Ramesh, Executive Director of our partner EFICOR, in India, didn’t want to answer. Over the last few days the calls kept coming, delivering the heartbreaking news that another person he knew had died of COVID-19.
She carried no clothes, no food, and no money. Nothing but her baby in her arms. Abrlhet* is one of millions that had fled the escalating violence between the Ethiopian Army and Tigray Defense Forces.
A roaring gas motor may be annoying for some but to Hanna Kamara it is the best noise in the world. It is the sound of empowerment.
Masika’s smile bursts through the colourful cloth as she tells us how the savings groupchanged her life. “I used to go work in the field every day but all we could get was just enough to eat. Since I took part in the group, I have been able to buy a sewing machine,” she says.
“Wooo!” the cheers ring out as Ndikilii performs one of Kenya’s traditional dances for us. She gives a big smile. Although advanced in years, the dancing makes her feel young again. She is happy to celebrate and tell the dramatic difference the market gardens and savings groups have made in her life.
There is dust everywhere and the land is dry. But surprisingly, there are plants around Mghalhelezi parish. “By God’s grace I have been here for 3 years now.” Reverend Mathayo Mika says.
Bezunesh Dana and her husband lived on a small, busy farm with their children. Struggling to make ends meet, the couple would often bicker and argue over household expenses and farming decisions.
After surviving an abusive relationship and fleeing her home in Venezula while carrying one child in each arm, Diana thought no one would take the time to help them—until the local church stepped in and offered to care for her family.
Walking from 1 AM to noon is not most people’s preferred time to travel. But for Jose and his wife walking from Venezuela to Colombia, this was the quietest and coolest time to walk.
La Ceiba Church understands the desperation the refugees have to survive and to belong. This is not a church whose building is only utilized once a week or a congregation who only visits on Sunday.
“During the night, to calm her while holding her, I kept whispering “Help is not far away” in her ear, because I knew the health clinic was an option.”
Lebanon is enduring a compounding crisis, including a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, an economic collapse, rising political instability, and the COVID-19 global pandemic. As these crises fail to be adequately addressed in the country, the situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate.
For years, Bamna and his wife struggled to make ends meet. The rocky soil and hilly landscape are difficult for the local villagers to farm, even in the best rainy seasons. Bamna had been struggling to grow his crops.
A group of women form what is called a SHG (Self Help Group). The group calls itself SIQWA - which means "Love".
Kaswera looked around the land she was so familiar with, the land she had spent decades on with her husband. They raised 8 children here together, and more recently, 4 beautiful grandchildren. When he died Kaswera became very aware that the land was not hers. “The week after my husband’s funeral I was so stressed over what would happen to me and my children that I barely had time to mourn,” Kaswera said.
After decades of hard work, Surji Paharin and her husband Rupa didn't know what the next year of farming might look like. Surji was growing worried. Would she be able to provide her youngest daughter who still lived at home? Would the family have enough money to get by if their harvest failed?
For years Besagi and Bamda struggled to provide for their family. They are a part of the Malto people, an ethnic minority in India that often lacks access to education and financial resources. One day, everything began to change!