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The
Story of Pushparaj
Gods Love in Action through Micro Enterprise in
India
In
a small rural village in India
live
Pushparaj and his wife
Preena. At
one time in their lives they were
devout Hindu worshippers, paying
homage at temples making
vows, asking the Hindu
Gods for children.
Soon
after becoming a Christian, his family began to miraculously
grow with three children. But how could he
support his new wonderful family? Then one day Pushparaj
heard about Medic Microfinance. “When
I heard of the micro business
loan opportunity through
MEDIC, I applied to see
if they could help me with a
loan of 15,000 Rupees (about
$350.00 USD). Since Preena
and I are experienced in
working tea plantations, everything
from plucking tea leaves,
to manuring and pruning,
we thought with this opportunity
we could lease a tea
garden and earn profits.
MEDIC
loaned us the money and
we leased half-an-acre of tea
for 11 months. During this
time we received profits from
the sale of the tea we harvested,
and as profits come
in I renewed the lease with
the owner. In spite, of price
fluctuations and droughts
we have been profitable. I
am thankful to God and MEDIC.
I have been able to add
one more room to our house
and constructed an all important
water well. I
share the use of the well, with
the neighbors also. I am also
expanding my business with
the area I am leasing.
Trust Banks Giving Hope for the Future
In West Africa in 2004
Medic put to work its intial Trust Bank Investments
from private donors. Since then, The staff at Medic
Benin
have created 9 Village Trust Banks issuing 500
micro business loans, mostly to women owned business. We give
thanks for Anna Gough a volunteer Investment Banker from the
United Kingdom, and Christophe Adande, Executive Director of
Medic Benin – also a Consultant with the World Bank. This led
to our model for microfinance utilizing "with
permission" aspects of the Opportunity International Model.
This involves
creation of a Village Banking system, called “Trust Banks” . A
Trust Bank is a credit union that strengthens village
communities by working with community members interested in
starting or
expanding their own businesses, thus giving the poor Hope for
the Future. All of the members in the group guantee each
others loans, and must agree to establish a pattern of regular
savings. It has been said that Giving
a man a fish he eats for a day, while Teaching a man to fish,
feeds him for a lifetime. This kind of
sustainability for the poor is a core value of the Medic Micro
Enterprise Trust Bank system.
[MORE]
Unaware
and unprepared...
By
Susiri Liyanage, Medic Lanka Affiliate Leader in
Sri Lanka
Tornados
,Hurricanes, Cyclones, Droughts , Floods are not all
predictable but in most cases could be anticipated, and
therefore advance warnings are available to help us to
be prepared. The Tidal wave (Tsunami) which we
experienced was different. Why? -because neither Sri Lanka nor
the region has ever experienced such a phenomenon. Hence we
were caught completely unawares and unprepared. Who would have
expected such a thing to occur on a bright clear morning -no
signs of any rain or wind that day when disaster struck.
Thousands perished -Several thousands rendered destitute.
Their fate ! How many of them knew the Lord? How many were
prepared to meet their maker ? Where would they have
gone.? These are some of the questions where you and I cannot
provide answers . We
should not even attempt to sit in
judgement ....[MORE]
" We
are doing whatever possible right now, but would appreciate
any support that can be extended in monetary form in order to
supply dry rations and; other essential needs of the affected
people in and around Wattala, and; surrounding areas. Also,
please pray that we will be able to overcome this disaster
situation, and; that such a situation will not arise again."
If
you would like to help financially, you can be assured
that the funds you provide will be used with wisdom, and
that assistance rendered will be provided in the name of
Christ. Click our donations link to the
right.
Canadian
Citizens can donate at www.mediccanada.org.
[MORE]
Trust
Banks are launched in Benin
West
Christophe
Adande Trust Bank Coordinator in Cotonu for MEDIC BENIN www.medicbenin.org announced
that by the Grace of God the economy in Sekou Village has just
received a hand up! 38 Members of Trust Banks in Sekou
received their business loans at a ceremony attended by
the General Secretary of the Benin Chamber of Industry
and Trade, Government representatives from Allada and Sekou,
the local Tribal Chief, and Medic Benin Trustees and
ministry friends.
Mercy
Ships and Medic Benin partner in the
field.
Mercy Ships Community Development Staff led by Karen Lim of
Malaysia, and MEDIC Benin as host, are
conducting community development training of 15
Trust Bank Leaders at the MEDIC Benin Office in
Cotonou. [MORE]
MEDIC
Lanka Announcements
MEDIC
Lanka announces that after funding being delayed for some time
with great excitement they are now sending a new Community
Developer into a rural hill area of Sri Lanka. [MORE]
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