This blog post was written by Megan Henderson, our Communications & Events Manager.
Savings Group meeting in DR Congo.
Last year, with your support, our Big Give Christmas Appeal raised £91,419 to support our programme partners in Aru, The Democratic Republic of Congo, as they expanded the programme there. The money raised meant that our partners could support an additional 80 Savings Groups and 1,440 new members. Just as we worked together to raise the funds, members work together to learn, earn, save and invest in small businesses that transform their families and communities. We’d like to introduce you to one member in DR Congo, Claudine.
“When I was a child, my father banned me from going to school. He believed that girls were not supposed to study. Their role is to bring wealth for the parents. So I grew up not knowing how to read and write.
When I lost my mother in 2020, I asked my husband for money to help my family for my mother’s funeral. He did not give me any. I was shocked. He always used to laugh at me because I was not educated. I wanted to change. In that same period, I heard about a new Literacy Group at my church and so I decided to enrol. We used to meet three times a week for lessons. COVID caused delays, but we still continued. I can now read and write.
I became patient thanks to literacy. The teachings from the Bible comfort me, and the sharing of experiences in the Group helped me a lot. My husband cannot laugh at me anymore. I am now part of a Savings Group and I have financial independence. Soon, I hope to buy a bicycle and phone to help me with my daily activities.”
With support from her Group, Claudine is reading, writing and planning a business. Without your support our programme partners would not be able to form Groups like Claudine’s. Thank you for being part of this journey.
If you’d like to support this year’s Big Give Christmas Appeal for South Sudan, the campaign begins on 28 November at midday. Check our website’s homepage on the day for more information.