"As a mother, I always felt that if given the chance, I could help provide for my children. I was always afraid they would not survive," said 28-year-old Nahar, of Bangladesh. "Then ADRA taught me to sew. I now have a good way to earn money for my family.
"Before ADRA, we were always sick with coughs, fever, and diarrhea," said Nahar. "ADRA has taught me so many things, and I am teaching others what I’ve learned.
"First, ADRA taught me to clean our food and to feed my children vegetables," continued Nahar, enthusiastically. "With the money my husband earns (less than US$1 a day), we ate only one meal a day; my children were malnourished. ADRA gave me food for my family when I came to the center to learn to read and write. Once I had these skills, they taught me how to sew.
"Thank you, ADRA supporters; you are good people who are helping us survive. With more help from ADRA, I will be able to do more to support my family. Now I am working to get a small loan to buy my own sewing machine. Thank you," said Nahar with a grateful smile.
Most of us find it hard to believe that a small loan of as little as $150 can lead to owning your own business, feeding your children more than once each day, sending them to school, and for some, even owning a home. Yet, in ADRA’s world, this happens every day.
ADRA’s programs are multifaceted. Our livelihood programs start with a home visit, simply inviting women who have never had the opportunity to attend school to learn to read and write in exchange for receiving food.
The excitement of learning a new skill leads to their trust in ADRA and our workers. When a woman learns to read and write, she yearns to learn even more. Those who desire are able to take math classes, learn a marketable skill, and receive management and marketing training to run a small business, as well as develop a savings and budget plan.
Through this process, the women become even more excited and self-confident. They begin to dream of possibilities and hope for the future. This simple training transforms their lives. And when beneficiaries receive small loans from ADRA, they are so thankful that someone has listened to their urgent request, helped them, and given them a chance for a better future. Loan repayment rates are close to 100 percent.
Your gift can transform a family through the realization of independence. For most families, the hand-up that a small loan gives is the difference between a life of poverty and one of self-sufficiency. And these small loans don’t just transform the families—they transform communities! As small businesses open, they create jobs and economic growth. Over time, this growth can transform a community into a thriving and self-sufficient core of activity.
Won't you consider partnering with ADRA to make the dream of independence a reality?
Why does ADRA give small loans? We believe that there is a biblical basis in giving small loans to the poor who desire to work to improve their lives. "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs" (Deuteronomy 15:7, 8, NIV).
A family living in poverty with no collateral has no hope of obtaining a bank loan. ADRA seeks these families out. We believe that the poor have a right to earn a fair income. When you support ADRA’s programs, you are moving individuals toward greater self-sufficiency.
Your generous gift can assist more parents in providing for their families.
Thousands of families around the world are benefiting from ADRA’s small loan programs. When you support ADRA’s programs, you are moving individuals toward greater self-sufficiency.
Will you send a gift today to help families establish self-sufficiency and learn new skills?
