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The Best $50 You’ll Ever Spend |
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Written by WCDA Staff
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Thursday, 03 January 2008 |
The Salvation Army World Mission office is part of a worldwide team working to alleviate poverty in developing countries. As members of an international organization we recognize that we have a unique opportunity to partner with colleagues in 113 countries; partnering in the provision of funding and partnering at a grassroots level in developing community capacity.
 Meet Zubeda Mustafa – 56 years old and reading! Zubeda says that she is no longer cheated when buying or selling merchandise.
One of the ways they address poverty is through micro-credit projects. The aim of micro-credit is to enable the poorest and most vulnerable of people to develop a means to generate a steady income. Few of those receiving a loan through this project would be considered for a loan through a bank. The target group is often women as it is the women who are primarily responsible for the welfare of the family.
The initial loan is usually very small, in the region of $50 to $100. Each recipient is part of a small group that works together to support one another through the planning and development stage, offer feedback and act as collateral for each other. These aren’t handouts; if one member of the group defaults on the repayment of the loan, the others take responsibility to make the payment. With success rates as high as 95%, the program is able to redistribute the funds to others in need.
 Linely Labuken – a business woman! Fish and Grocery seller. Linely is supporting her own three children plus three orphans in the village.
In many cases, these micro-credit projects are part of a larger project to ensure that participants have all the tools necessary to succeed. For many women this will often mean literacy classes, basic math and business classes, and sometimes even the provision of glasses. Literacy materials include information on the basics of nutrition, health care and HIV/AIDS. Programs are developed at a local level so that these new ventures can prosper easily and provide for their families on an ongoing basis.
How you can help
Make your first charitable donation of 2008 and give generously. Where else can $50 make such a difference? Donations for the Tanzania projects are being accepted until January 31, 2008. Please send your cheques to:
World Missions
The Salvation Army
2 Overlea Boulevard
Toronto, ON
M4H 1P4
Attention: Major Gillian Brown
For more information about these and other programs, please contact Major Brown at 416- 425-2111.
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