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Sponsorship stories - mothers groups |
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Mothers of sponsored children impact their families and communities through CFCA mothers groups CFCA is empowering women and impacting the family through mothers group programs that provide small business loans, vocational training, and the ability to be active participants in decisions that affect the lives of their family. These opportunities allow mothers to contribute financially to their families, improving the lives of each member. Read the stories below and walk with CFCA mothers on their journey. Mary Swarna, India Mothers group helps woman launch dairy business
Five years ago, Mary Swarna and her family were struggling. Thanks to CFCA’s help through a mothers group, the life of Mary and her family has been transformed. Mary lives with her husband and three daughters in Hyderabad in southern India.
Mary’s husband brings home only about $80 per month as a day laborer. That amount of money didn’t go far for the family in urban Hyderabad with its relatively high cost of living. Then Mary learned about CFCA’s mothers groups.
The low-cost loans Mary received from the mothers group dramatically changed her life. She used the money to buy six dairy cows. Now Mary has a thriving dairy business. The cows are kept outside her home. Each morning and evening, Mary collects about three quarts of fresh, foamy milk in silver pitchers.
Mary’s husband delivers the milk door-to-door each morning to regular customers. In the afternoon, neighbors line up in the street by her house to get their milk.
The small business makes $136 a month for Mary’s family. Even after making her loan payment, the money is a substantial help. Mary’s husband makes only about half that much money. He appreciates what the business has done for his wife and family. Besides delivering milk, he gathers grass to feed the cows. “Without the dairy business, my family would have been bust. I don’t know how I would have made it without this business,” said Mary.
With the income from her business, plus CFCA sponsorship for two of their three children, Mary’s family has been able to send all three of their kids to school.
With a small investment and a lot of hard work, the family is moving toward self-sufficiency and a life of dignity, an objective of the sponsorship program. Learn more about our projects in India Women impact families, communities through CFCA mothers groups
CFCA mothers groups provide a forum where women can have a voice and make a difference in their own lives and the lives of their families. The concept of mothers groups in CFCA originated in projects in southern India in 2001.
In Hyderabad, India, the mothers organize into small groups of 30. They attend talks on topics such as health care and raising children, and they are active participants in the project. Each mother in the group contributes about $1.15 per month to a bank account earmarked for her benefit. CFCA also contributes money.
Members can take out loans to start businesses, to fund group projects designed to generate income, or to meet critical needs in their own families. Members earn dividends from the interest on the loans, which increases their account. Besides making loans, the members sometimes choose to use their funds to help other needy families outside the group.
The idea is spreading to other CFCA projects. A team from the Bhagalpur, India, project traveled to Hyderabad in February 2006 to learn how they could introduce the concept to their area. The groups are also experiencing success at CFCA projects in Mexico.
The idea is an expression of CFCA’s core values. First, CFCA recognizes the God-given dignity of each person by empowering mothers to provide for the education of their children and other needs of the families. Second, mothers groups reflect the principle that individuals have a right to participate in decisions that impact their lives.
“The sponsored mothers are a group of very talented women,” said Ilene Adams, CFCA program director for Asia. “It is their work that makes the mothers groups so successful.” Learn more about our projects in India Merida mothers groups facilitate mutual support
In Merida, Mexico, mothers groups are gaining momentum and helping to support various functions associated with the sponsorship program. The mothers assist with selection and distribution of benefits, deliver letters and visit the homes of sponsored children to provide guidance in letter-writing.
In October 2006, about 15 mothers of sponsored children in Tizimin, Mexico, inaugurated Papelería La Crayola, a stationery store that works like a cooperative. Profits from the store are to be distributed equally to member families every six months.
Sponsored and non-sponsored families can shop at the papelería, which sells school supplies and serves as an Internet café. A former CFCA scholarship student works at the store.
“The mothers serve as a board of directors, providing oversight of the funds and helping to shape the store’s business strategy,” said Dan Pearson, director-international operations. “They also promote the store to other families in the community.”
The group has agreed to deliver its first profit distribution of 53 pesos ($5) to each sponsored child in the form of school supplies.
Many of the members have experienced difficult family challenges, particularly with alcoholism, domestic abuse and social isolation in the home. The camaraderie and support of the mothers group has given the members a sense of hope for their community and their children.
“The groups are providing an opportunity for the mothers to support each other financially, emotionally and spiritually,” said Dan. “This support is improving the women’s self-esteem and sense of empowerment. They are discovering that they can positively impact their families’ future by sharing their gifts and talents with the community.”
Want to know more about CFCA sponsorship and its benefits? Sponsor a child or learn more about sponsorship benefits Common questions about sponsorship Contact us toll-free at (800) 875-6564 or in the Kansas City area (913) 384-6500.
Please note: CFCA does not post photos or other personal information about children or aging persons waiting to be sponsored in order to protect their privacy and the privacy of their families. This is in accordance with our child protection policies and also in keeping with our commitment to respecting the dignity of those we serve. At the same time, we know sponsors may wish to sponsor a child or aging person of a particular age, gender or country, and we do everything possible to honor those requests. Sponsors are invited to indicate special requests in the "other criteria" box when you sponsor online. Once your sponsorship has been established, you will receive a photo and family profile of your sponsored friend, the address of the CFCA project where you may write to your friend and other helpful information about your CFCA sponsorship. |
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