Micro-Loans

Riziki is illiterate, and was struggling to have enough money to care for her children.  She cannot even write her own name, but now she has a profitable business selling charcoal. 

Simai saw a need for quality education in his neighbourhood, so he took a loan to start a small daycare/school.  He is now giving the next generation the educational foundation needed to succeed and improve their quality of life.

Rajabu has a big farm, but he didn’t have money to fertilize his fields.  Now he is growing enough rice to feed his family for a year, and enough other crops to be able to sell them in the market as well.

Juma recently started following Jesus but didn't have work or family here to help him buy food.  One day when he was visiting us in our house I showed him some of Jubilee's puzzles and we started dreaming about how he could start a business making and selling puzzles...  6 months later look at what he is accomplishing!

These are a few results of the early stages of a micro-loan program that I have helped to start on the island.  So far the loans have been anywhere from $30 to $350.  Just as important as that little bit of capitol is the weekly training and help we have been able to offer.  Most of the recipients of the loans have needed help with basic bookkeeping and budgeting.  Things like keeping track of all your expenses to be able to see what your profit has been, and how to set aside money to put back into the business- these have been such a huge help for people who often ended up working long hours but losing money before. Through these weekly business meetings I’ve also started sowing seeds of Truth and trying to prepare the ground for the Good News.

What a huge blessing it has been to get a visa to do work that really helps the people on our island.  We look forward to the day when our language skills are good enough to help them with their spiritual needs as well.