Vulnerable and Alone
Mary is a member of Unity group, a village savings group in South Sudan. Before Mary joined her group, she did not have a business. Her husband had abandoned her for another wife, and Mary was left alone, scared and vulnerable as she sought to care for her three young children. Getting basic food was a daily challenge.
A Village Savings Group
Mary’s savings group prayed for her and encouraged her. With their support and with the skills she learned from Five Talents, Mary decided to start a business. She took a loan of $35 and began her own tea shop.
Spiritual, Social, and Economic Impact
Today Mary sells spiced black tea, hibiscus tea and coffee in her shop. Each week, Mary makes a profit of about $22. She uses about half of her profit for feeding her children. She feels that now her children have more than enough to eat. “These changes have happened as a result of having an income. We are healthy and have enough to eat due to that income.”
Mary says that being part of her group and their fellowship has made her read the Bible more. As a result of joining her group, Mary shared that she feels closer to Jesus. Since her neighbors have seen her struggle and emerge being able to provide well for her family, they will come and share their burdens with her so she can pray for them. She is trying to be a good example to them and lead them to Jesus.