Sudan & South Sudan

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.

To shed light on one hopeful model, The Rev. Thomas Anei discussed his success in establishing microfinance in the southern village of Lietnhom. Working with Five Talents International, a Christian nonprofit organization specializing in microfinance, and Sudan's Episcopal Church, Rev. Anei helped set up South Sudan's first community-owned village bank and provides training for local residents to start and manage small businesses. The bank was unharmed by conflict that broke out between local clans in spring 2008, and helped residents to rebuild in the aftermath. It now claims over 500 members.

A reception at Lambeth Palace brought together key players from the world of finance to hear about the role of microfinance in overcoming poverty. The Rev. Thomas Anei described his firsthand experience of these projects working with vulnerable communities in war-torn Southern Sudan.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and a priest from Southern Sudan yesterday promoted the benefits of microfinance for the poor through the work of the charity, Five Talents.

A reception at Lambeth Palace brought together key players from the world of finance to hear about the role of microfinance in overcoming poverty. Rev Thomas Anei, a Sudanese priest, described his first-hand experience of these projects working with vulnerable communities in war-torn Southern Sudan.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and a priest from Southern Sudan yesterday promoted the benefits of microfinance for the poor through the work of the charity, Five Talents.

A reception at Lambeth Palace brought together key players from the world of finance to hear about the role of microfinance in overcoming poverty. Rev Thomas Anei, a Sudanese priest, described his first-hand experience of these projects working with vulnerable communities in war-torn Southern Sudan.

[Lambeth Palace] Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and a priest from Southern Sudan Oct. 29 promoted the benefits of microfinance for the poor through the work of the charity Five Talents.

A reception at Lambeth Palace brought together key players from the world of finance to hear about the role of microfinance in overcoming poverty. The Rev. Thomas Anei described his firsthand experience of these projects working with vulnerable communities in war-torn Southern Sudan.

By teaching basic business skills before providing loan capital, Five Talents ensures that the entrepreneurs and communities benefit now and in the future. It is a very practical and sound approach to fighting poverty. Five Talents President and CEO, Craig Cole, explains how it is not a handout programme: ‘We are teaching the poor that they have value and the power to transform their lives and the lives of their families.’

The sight of your bank local branch in your neighborhood is so common that you don’t even pay attention to it. It’s there, period. But in Southern Sudan, a brick and mortar bank in a village was a first. The idea was supported by Five Talents, a non profit helping the Southern Sudanese people adjust from their ancestral pastoral life with educational programs. Deng took a loan and had his business booming in the central market of Lietnhom until skirmishes broke again.