A savings and loan project is helping to lift families out of poverty

Adau worked hard trying to grow and sell vegetables in South Sudan but seemed to always be fighting either a season of severe drought or flooding.

Without sufficient income from vegetable sales, she had no means of providing for her four children. “The harvest was not enough to sustain the family,” she said. “Because my husband has been sick, most of the work was being done by me and my little children.” Sometimes, the family only had one meal a day.

Adau also struggled to pay her children’s school fees. The young mother longed for a better way to care for her children and give them a brighter future, but she didn’t know where to turn.

A savings and loan project organized by Samaritan’s Purse is helping to change that. To provide more solid economic footing for families like Adau’s, we are teaching them about cash management, credit management, and saving.

They’re also learning how to successfully operate a small business, including the basics of finance, marketing, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship.

Our savings loan project is helping women start bakeries and other small businesses

Adau and a group of women in her community decided to get creative, and instead of each member borrowing money and independently starting businesses, they combined their savings and opened a bakery. It didn’t take long for the bakery to start turning a profit, and when it did, Adau and the other women began experiencing dramatic changes in their lives.

“After the Samaritan’s Purse trainings on managing our business, our household income has increased,” Adau said. “We are able to send all four children to school. And now, we can feed our children breakfast before school.”

Samaritan’s Purse has helped to start many savings and loan groups in South Sudan that meet regularly to make deposits, write loans, and collect payments. In addition to financing small businesses like Adau’s bakery, the money is also used to provide loans to members for things like medical emergencies, school fees, and agriculture needs.

Adau said that she doesn’t know where her family would be if they had not joined the savings group. “Life before we received Samaritan’s Purse assistance was tough. Now, I am able to save money for my family’s future.”

Samaritan’s Purse has worked in Jesus’ Name in South Sudan for many years. In addition to the savings groups, our teams are also providing clean water, food, agriculture training, and discipleship across the country.

Women are using income from their business to support their families and gardening efforts.

Life in South Sudan continues to be a test of endurance for many families. War and violence have defined their lives, making it nearly impossible to focus on anything other than day-to-day survival.

Nyachak is a widow who struggled to care for her children after her husband died six years ago during the civil war. She couldn’t earn a substantial income growing sorghum, so she tried running a small tea shop.

Then, when floodwaters destroyed Nyachak’s shop and all of her inventory, she had no way of starting over.

She joined a savings and loan group in her village because she was desperate to find a way to save her shop and provide for her family.

“I can’t imagine where I would be had it not been for the Samaritan’s Purse intervention,” she said. “The savings and loans group enabled me to recover from the impacts of the flood and conflict.”

Nyachak received a loan from the group that enabled her to restock inventory and reopen her shop. She saw such success with the group that she became the chairperson, encouraging and guiding others in the group. “My leadership and entrepreneurship skills have improved in the process of managing the group and my business.”

Nyachak

Nyachak is continuing to save and invest her money because she is working toward expanding her tea shop into a full-fledged restaurant. “The savings group propels me to achieve my dream,” she said.

Nyachak is thankful to God for sustaining her during dark days and giving her hope for the future. “I am a devoted Christian. God is my Savior and Provider.”

For Adau and Nyachak as they work hard to support their families. Pray that their business endeavors will continue to succeed.

For the Christians in South Sudan who have endured decades of conflict and persecution. Pray that their lives will be a testimony for God’s glory.

That our team in South Sudan will continue to have opportunities to share the eternal hope of the Gospel.

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.” Matthew 25:35 (ESV)