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Poverty crushes
the human spirit. Three billion people — half the
world’s population — live on less than $2 per day,
unable to meet their basic human needs.
Malnutrition, lack of health care, illiteracy and
substandard housing breed desperation, disease and
daily suffering. Poverty traps future generations in
a vicious cycle without hope or opportunity. In an
increasingly globalized world, no one is immune to
these problems.
Most people living
in developing areas are self-employed. An individual
wakes up each morning knowing that he or she must
figure out a way to eke out a living, whether it be
by milking buffaloes, re-selling items in a market,
making tortillas, weaving baskets or other similar
activities.
Even though they
work from dawn to dusk, there is no money left over
to expand their businesses or improve their quality
of life. All that they earn goes toward basic
survival. But why is this? In general, it is because
local money lenders are often the only available
capital source, and they provide business loans at
exorbitant annual interest rates of 300% to 3,000%.
Under this system, virtually all of the person’s
financial gains are passed directly to the money
lender. The individual does not reap the rewards of
his or her own hard work.
Focusing on
income-producing solutions for the working poor is a
powerful way to alleviate the pain of poverty for an
entire family.[1]
Micro Finance:
Micro Finance programs extend small loans to very
poor people for self-employment projects. This helps
them generate income which allows them to care for
themselves and their families.
Microfinance has enabled the poorest of the poor,
especially women, to generate income for themselves
and their families. Microfinance today only reaches
around 20 million people through 7000 MFIs. In India
about 240 million people are in need for
microfinance. Many people believe that within two to
three years of their first loan, people come above
the poverty line. Micro finance is thus regarded as
the dignified way of crossing the poverty line.
Technically, micro finance is defined as provision
of thrift, credit and other financial services and
products of very small amounts to the poor in rural
areas, semi-urban and urban areas. Any one availing
micro-finance has to engage in some productive
activities that will generate some income.
Micro-Finance is much more holistic than micro
credit as it includes savings, credit, insurance
etc.[2]
The Role
of the Church
Few developing
country communities have spiritual frameworks that
underpin their belief systems. Jesus modeled a
lifestyle that exemplified God's heart for the poor.
Holistic Christian Micro Enterprise Development
programs affirm the dignity and inherent value of
every poor person.
"
……enabling the local church to address the
economic dimension of life at a level where it
can make a difference. It enables the church to
integrate the values of the Gospel of the
Kingdom into economic life and demonstrate the
power of the gospel to change situations which
others consider hopeless, and to bring wholeness
into the communities in which they live and
serve." [Rev. Dr.
Vinay Samuel]
With the
foundational Christian principles of
forgiveness, grace, love and servant-hood,
the strength of MED is made complete. David Bussau
commented that:
Christian-sponsored economic development has a
profound impact on the Body of Christ throughout
the world. Nearly three decades of Christian
experience in job creation demonstrates the
following fruits:
-
Dignity, Men
and women created in God's image experience the
dignity of meaningful work and the satisfaction
of providing for those they love. This sense of
self-worth is crucial in holding families
together.
-
Community, The local
church's role in the economic life of its
members strengthens the interconnectedness of
believers.
-
Believable Sign, The
name of Jesus Christ is lifted up and His body
of believers gains credibility in the eyes of
the community. Those outside the church look in
and see Christians' love for each other;
non-believers also can receive loans or gain
employment as a result of this outreach.
Economic development with no strings attached is
often the first believable sign of God's
unconditional love. [Reflections on
Christian Microenterprise Development By David
Bussau] [3]
[1]
[http://www.unitus.com/wwd_whatismf.asp]
[2]
[http://www.indianngos.com/issue/microcredit/definitionmicrofinance.htm]
[3] [http://www.cedarfund.org/eng/publications/newsletter/2004/06-104/]]
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