Learning to save even just pennies a day can make a tremendous impact in the lives of women around the world. WORTH groups help women learn to read, while at the same time, teach them good business practices and the importance of saving money.
As these women come together for support, encouragement and fellowship, they are also working towards small business loans which inspire and help them to improve life for everyone in their community.
WORTH groups are a place where women learn to read while learning about strong groups, good business practices and how important it is to save money; save together (even a few pennies each a week) until they have enough to make small business loans which are repaid with interest; then be so inspired and encouraged that they conduct community activities such as advocacy campaigns that improve life for all, especially the most underprivileged such as orphans, widows, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Aida Dwolayo says, “My neighbors and I find ways to get together and help each other. We see the power of women working together, and we feel glad to have our own village bank…Now I’ve taken a loan to improve my business selling second hand clothes, bananas and passion fruit. I hope to someday buy a cow and get milk. Since my son and daughter died of HIV/AIDS, I have cared for four orphan grandchildren. Being in the group helps me feel better about my life and the lives of those I care for.”
Luke 21:2 & 4 “As he looked up, Jesus saw…a poor widow put in two very small copper coins (into the temple treasury). ‘I tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others…she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on.’”
While running an errand, some children heard noises coming from a wood pile. When they looked closer, they found a week old baby girl wrapped in a small bundle. They took the baby home to their mother, Topista, a member of the Magali Women’s Group. When nobody claimed the baby, the police gave Topista custody.
Now the whole WORTH group takes care of her. They provide milk, soap, sugar and clothing for the baby, while Topista acts as the child’s guardian. One woman said, “This baby is our gift from God.”
$30: provides one woman with the opportunity to participate in WORTH for one year
$50: prints 15 literacy books
$600: sponsors one WORTH group of 20 women for one year
$5,000: sponsors one Empowerment Cluster of 10 WORTH groups for one year
