More than 1.4 billion children, women, and men, or more than 20 percent of the world’s population, live on less than $1.25 a day. The majority of these individuals live in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Extreme poverty keeps people hungry all day and all night. It deprives them of medical care, an education, and the ability to work. It keeps adequate housing, clean water, and sanitation beyond their reach.
Lekh Kumari used to earn her family’s income by cutting and selling wood and by working as a construction day laborer. However, health problems kept her from working outside on the coldest days in Nepal. While continuously battling a sore throat and high fever, she was filled with anguish as she was unable to feed her children.
You have the opportunity to free families from the bondage of extreme poverty when you give to ADRA’s programs. Please send your gift today.
ADRA works with and for these children, women, and men who are living daily in these extreme conditions. ADRA’s projects target the root causes of poverty for millions of people and bring change to their communities through providing immediate food supplements and training in gardening skills, clean water and adequate sanitation, and microloans and business skills training. These are just a few of the ways that ADRA is fighting poverty.
Two years ago, Lekh joined ADRA’s savings group and began taking literacy classes. Now she can read and write and do simple math and record keeping. Learning these skills has given her confidence and hope. Creating a business plan for the running of a small tea shop, Lekh received a loan of 2,000 Nepalese rupees ($28) from ADRA.
"At the beginning, it was difficult. I did not have enough customers buying tea, biscuits, and chocolate," states Lekh. "Now we have turned the corner, and I even have my husband working for me. We have repaid our loan, and most days I now make a profit of 200 Nepalese rupees ($2.80).
Today, you have the opportunity to loosen the chains of bondage from poverty for more women such as Lekh Kumari. Will you help fight poverty by giving a generous gift today?
ADRA is committed to helping women, such as Lekh Kumari, who are desperately struggling to provide for their families. They live in constant fear of not being able to feed and take care of their children. It is a very sad fact that 70 percent of those living in extreme poverty are women and children. You and I are blessed in countless ways. No matter what financial struggles we are facing, life is much more difficult for our sisters in developing nations.
"Soon, I will expand my business and sell more items," Lekh continues. "I am so very grateful to ADRA for all that I have achieved so far. It is more than I dreamed possible. My wish is that ADRA will reach out to more people like me and change their lives for the better, as they have done for me."
Your help is needed for ADRA to continue programs that begin to break the chains of poverty and give people a better life. Will you help?
