Poverty Alleviation Starts With Hope

Evangeline and her family live in ultra-poverty. While both parents work as hard as they can, neither have a stable source of income. Meals for their three children are often only plain rice. They have no electricity, no running water, a roof made of scraps which lets the rain in, and no one to turn to in times of emergency.

Evangeline joins Transform hosted by her local pastor. She joins 30 new friends from her community on a journey of learning and growing. Every week she attends the health classes and learns new livelihood techniques, including starting a business and building her own savings for the very first time.

After four months, Evangeline graduates! It is the first time she has graduated from anything since elementary school. She has started her own vegetable garden, and her groups’ savings is up to $80. Her daughter has been cured of malnutrition and Evangeline can see the difference in her energy levels and appetite.

Evangeline uses her savings to invest in a business, a “sari-sari” store which she can run from her home while still caring for her children. She is nervous to start her own business for the first time, but her savings group encourages her that she can do it. The business gives the family a more stable source of daily income.

With their finances more predictable, the family decides to invest in a motorbike. They use their savings for a down payment, and are confident they can maintain the monthly payment due to their new business income. The motorbike allows Evangeline’s husband to save money on his expenses.

Evangeline’s children are healthier and better equipped for school. Evangeline is proud of the progress her family has made over the last two years. She knows that her children’s futures are brighter because of Transform.