Sudan & South Sudan

Microfinance: Small is Beautiful

July 20, 2010
St. Paul's Institute
By Tom Sanderson, Five Talents UK Director

The Five Talents' microfinance programme in Sudan is a fantastic example of a small programme reaching places where commercial (for-profit) microfinance or formal banking services are unlikely to reach for many years to come. There is no electricity, no mobile phone signal, no tarmac roads, no piped water and no fair opportunity to save or borrow cash. The entrepreneurs are now selling coca cola in the village (is that progress?!), opening tea-shops, stocking their general kiosks, tailoring, carpentry, hair-dressing and much more - building the local economy and social cohesion at the same time.

Five Talents awarded $1.5 million to expand, replicate program in Sudan

July 2, 2010
Episcopal Life Online
By Episcopal News Service staff

Christian microfinance charity Five Talents has received a $1.5 million grant from Comic Relief, a U.K.-based foundation, to expand its literacy and financial education program in Sudan, according to a July 1 press release.

Jim Oakes and I are in Heathrow (London) Airport a day earlier then expected. We had planned to leave Saturday night arriving on Sunday but because of the British Airways strike, we were to be diverted to Philadelphia and take the train to D.C. Instead, we were able to book a flight Friday evening that will get us in to Dulles at about 6 p.m. EST.

We are currently in Wau, Sudan, having finished the training! One of the key findings during the leadership training was the idea of having the leader train a small group first. We used Jesus as an example. He taught his 12 disciples and spent a lot of time with them so they in turn could train others, etc. The local priest was really inspired by that idea and sees Wau becoming a training hub for the diocese. We take these ideas for granted but not here, not after so many years of war.

We have spent the last two days teaching basic business planning alternating with leadership skills training. The group of 40 men and women who meeting in the church are comprised of women leaders in the local savings groups in Wau and also the church leaders. So, we were asked to do some leadership training as well.

Mothers' Union calls for international support for Sudan

January 10, 2010
themothersunion.org

Over 13,000 previously illiterate people, 75% of whom are women, have been given literacy skills, health education, nutritional advice, business and income generation skills. Crucially, by working in partnership with other agencies, such as Five Talents, Mothers’ Union has helped sensitise communities about the CPA, the forthcoming referendum and the elections – enabling community members to be equipped to make informed decisions and participate fully in the process. This progress is at risk should the fragile peace not be protected.

Offering generous support, Rowan Williams welcomes Five Talents to Lambeth Palace

December 5, 2009
DCNY
Posted by Tony Seel

At a Reception in aid of Five Talents on 29 October 2009, Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, welcomed guests to Lambeth Palace and spoke of his support for the work of Five Talents in the context of the church’s particular role and ability to reach grassroots communities with transformative services. The following is the address by Dr. Williams...

Offering generous support, Rowan Williams welcomes Five Talents to Lambeth Palace

December 5, 2009
Baby Blue Online

Over the years Five Talents has now established itself as a crucially important part of the Anglican scene worldwide and I hope that this evening may help it become even more of a part, a visible part of our Anglican ministry. Here at Lambeth Palace we are trying with the help of Rachel, Helen and others to get our work worldwide as an Anglican Communion on development and aid better co-ordinated - working towards an Anglican Alliance on this. And for me a central part of that vision has to be our capacity in microfinance. Because that is the area where perhaps more any other we see that transforming, maturing effect of the gospel on people that gives them the confidence and the capacity to begin to take charge of where they are and who they are with their neighbours. And the patterns of mutuality and the building up of mutual trust that belong in the world of microcredit and microfinance – these are of course central Christian things.