Poverty can result from a variety of factors, some self-directed and some imposed from without. The concept of poverty itself can be difficult to define. Some believe you know it when you see it, or it’s a mentality, or it’s simply relative to one’s context. One common theme in a variety of theories is that poverty involves an inability, whether internally motivated or externally enforced, to obtain the means to live a free and healthy life. One critical path to those means is fair participation in the local economy.
We believe that empowering individuals to contribute their ideas and skills to serve their communities and support their families is critical to restoring their hope, dignity, and sense of purpose. Here are a few of the ways we have worked toward economic empowerment in some of poorest places in the world:
Farming co-ops
We have provided agricultural training and access to seeds and farming implements to help groups of farmers grow crops for their families and communities and to generate income. One crop we are particularly excited about is the moringa tree! Learn more about the incredibly nutritious and useful moringa tree at www.treesforlife.org.
Microcredit & Entrepreneurship
We have created new opportunities for individuals to support themselves and their families by providing small business loans, grants and entrepreneurship training. Sometimes people just need a kick start to get their dreams up and running!
Job Skills Training
We offer job skills training to enable workers to either learn a new, marketable trade or enhance their ability to secure stable employment by improving upon skills they already possess and tailoring them to the local job market.
