Micro-Power to Reach Bahr El Ghazal, Sudan
Refugees like these from Darfur will soon benefit from GBA’s Enterprise Relief
micro-credit program.
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Throughout the developing world, and in Sudan in particular, struggling people are looking for more than simply a hand-out to break free of poverty. What they need is a hand-up, a strategic investment in their lives that will bear fruit for years to come. One-time gifts feed a man for a day. But the age-old method of teaching a man to fish truly can feed him for a lifetime – a strategic investment, building capacity that will empower for generations to come.
Having experienced political, social and economic conflict for nearly half a century, the nation of Sudan is in desperate need of capacity-building empowerment. One region in particular in Southern Sudan, Bahr El Ghazal, has to-date missed out on most of the empowerment opportunities that have been available in other areas of the South. Extreme poverty, lack of infrastructure and Bahr El Ghazal’s remote location have kept it isolated, even from international relief and development agencies.
After careful evaluation, Global Business Assist would like to change this paradigm by bringing the capacity-building assistance of Enterprise Relief, or micro-finance development, to Bahr El Ghazal.
The task is daunting, but the first major challenge of securing initial funding has been met! Over the past six months, GBA has been able to secure $65,000 in cash and pledges, which enables us to begin operational implementation this summer.
The next step is the hiring of administrative staff for the new Sudan micro-finance institution. This is followed by extensive micro-finance training for personnel. In September GBA will employ “Africans to help Africans”, by sending those involved in GBA’s supported micro-finance program in Ghana to assist in administrative training in Bahr El Ghazal.
Initial micro-loans in Bahr El Ghazal will concentrate on small groups of area women, some who are refugees from neighboring Darfur and others who are members of remote regional churches. First time loans made by the year’s end will be approximately $100.
Give the Sudanese a Chance to Help Themselves….
One small loan changes the course of history for a family forever
In November of 2008 I traveled to this region and met with local community leaders and pastors who desperately pleaded for just this type of assistance. While I was unable to make promises at the time, it is gratifying to be able to return to Bahr El Ghazal with life-changing assistance available to these communities.
GBA president, Doug Mann, visits an agricultural project in Bahr El Ghazal in November, 2008.
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But, as pleased as I am that funding has been secured for Bahr El Ghazal, not a dollar of the $65,000 raised for this program will go toward overall GBA organizational expenses; 100% of the funds raised will be used for operations.
Will you consider helping Bahr El Ghazal this month by helping keep GBA in operation? As an organization, we are frugal and keep administrative costs to a minimum, but basic administrative expenses still must be paid.
Please consider a special gift this month that GBA might put toward our own organizational infra-structure. Before we can help Bahr El Ghazal, we need to be on a firm foundation ourselves.
Thanks to you, Enterprise Relief empowerment will soon come to a region of Southern Sudan in desperate need of capacity-building assistance. For the first time, many in this region will get their chance to help themselves and their families achieve financial security and independence.
Your support of GBA, especially during these slow summer months for giving, is greatly appreciated. By investing your resources in our efforts, you are providing a lifeline to Sudan’s most destitute.
In appreciation for your involvement in Bahr El Ghazal...
Douglas Mann
President, GBA
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