Leah’s Story – Entrepreneurship and Community

Leah joined a savings group four years ago because some women from her church encouraged her to give it a try. She did, reluctantly, and began saving the minimal amount each meeting (less than $1). She used her first loan to buy sugarcane to resell and then her second loan to pay tuition for an eight week class on how to tailor clothing, which is something she had always wanted to learn but never had the funds to pay for the classes. Then she used her third loan to buy material in bulk to make clothing to resell. Her next loan was used to buy a bicycle for her husband who then started using it to run a bicycle taxi business. Her next loan was used to put a tin roof on their home and to buy some livestock.

Then last year she used a loan to buy two more sewing machines so that she could teach other women how to sew, so she’s setting others up with the capacity to make money sewing (we saw all three machines in her house). How she used her most recent loan is amazing: to pay for a borehole next to her house. They used to walk two hours to get water each day. But now, not only do they have all the water they need in their back yard, they also share it with 20 other families (about 100 people).

And even better, her husband shared how their marriage is now so much better because of the way he has learned to care for Leah. He said that he respects her as an equal, so now they solve problems together, read the Bible together, and parent their kids together.

You can be a part of stories like Leah’s and countless others we serve around the globe. Homes for HOPE has been given the opportunity to take part in an extremely generous matching gift offer! All gifts from NEW U.S.-based donors up to $415,000 will be matched! If you’ve never given to Homes for HOPE before, this is an incredible opportunity to have your money’s impact doubled immediately, and then grow exponentially as loans are paid back at a rate of 98.2% and sent out again as more loans. This return on your investment is unparalleled and we encourage you to join with Homes for HOPE to invest in the dreams of families in the worlds underserved communities as we proclaim and live the Gospel. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of other families like Leah’s in the HOPE network, thank you!

To learn more about Homes for HOPE, the building industry’s response to global poverty, please contact Matthew Baehr at 717-719-0313 or mbaehr@homes4hope.org.