The Power of 50,000

In developing countries like Nicaragua and Guatemala it is often the people who grow food who struggle the most with hunger.

Mary Jere’s Story This is Mary Jere. She lives with her husband Mafuto and their five children in Malawi. The whole family lives together in a small house made of mud with a thatched (grass) roof. Mary’s husband is disabled and can’t work. To earn money for her family, Mary cuts grass to sell for roofs. They grow their own food, but it isn’t enough.

Mary Jere’s Story With the help of a Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) program in her village, Mary joined a savings group. These women are joyful and love getting together. Every week they give a few dollars each and then lend it to each other. With this money, the women are able to start businesses. They are grateful and proud of what they are doing. They are happy to help and support one another.

Mary Jere’s Story Mary’s self-help group gave her a small loan so she could buy seeds and fertilizer to start a vegetable garden. She sells her vegetables at the market to earn money and is able to give her family healthy food.

Mary Jere’s Story 19% of the Nicaraguan population is undernourished. Mary is also using the money she earns to build a new brick house. So far she has been able to pay for windows and a doorframe. She is still saving to buy a tin roof. The new home fits her large family much better.

Mary Jere’s Story Mary Jere’s Story Although Mary Jere and the women in her savings group are poor themselves, they still give what little they have to help others in their communities who need even more. Mary says, “We are thankful because we now have businesses and save money.” She is proud to provide the things her family needs and still help others.

There are 870 million hungry people in the world!