Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian: Mission Month

February is Mission Month at SPPC

Our congregation contributes to the Presbyterian World Service and Development fund in order to spread Christian love and practical aid to nations and people in need around the world.

To help us understand where our dollars go, the Sunday School gave a presentation on micro-credit last Sunday.

PWS&D Sunday School Presentation

INTRODUCTION
The Mission and Outreach Committee and the Sunday School are partnering with PWS&D and YOU to reach out to women in Mozambique in a creative way. We have chosen for the destination of this year’s fundraiser MICRO-CREDIT of businesses for women in Mozambique.
You may be asking: What is MICRO-CREDIT? Well, we’ll get to that. First some background on Mozambique.
Mozambique has been identified by PWS&D as the area of greatest need of assistance at this point in time.
Following 16 years of civil war the country has been slow to rebuild. After the war, there was not enough emphasis placed on infra-structure by the government.
The country was then hit hard by natural disasters, first by devastating floods, then by drought.
This resulted in extreme poverty - 50% of Mozambicans live on less than $1/day.
Their average life expectancy is 49 years - that doesn’t leave Diane much time in Mozambique years!!! As with many cultures, the women suffer greatly. They have few societal rights and limited access to financial resources.

This is where MICRO-CREDIT comes in to help.

Today we would like to give you a visual example of the benefit of MICRO-CREDIT and how it works.

Let’s look at the benefits of MICRO-CREDIT by looking at various ways of helping people.

First we have a traditional model of assistance:
We see a need
Gather our resources

and meet the need.
We give a gift, this time clothing, and we have completed our mission. While we have made their life better for now… we may have done little to help them in the future.

Second is the "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but if you give him a fishing rod, you feed him for a lifetime" idea of misison
I’m sure you’ve heard this saying before.This time we recognize we need for lasting help. We want more than just the item to be given. We want the skill and the equipment given to the person so that they can continue to help themselves and their families. We give them a sewing machine.

The third model, is the micro-credit model. Here's how it works.
You…the people of a Christ centered, compassionate organization… donate money.

That money is then loaned to a person who wants to start a small business, say a sewing shop, WITH the expectation that the money will be paid back. As the business grows, the money is paid back to the coordinating bank.

This money is then available to be loaned to someone else

to start another business, say a sewing shop in another village.
Once again this business is responsible to pay back the money.

And the money is AGAIN available for someone else

to borrow…to start a new business…
perhaps a quiet beading business!!

In this way the money can be used not only to help one individual, but to build an entire community.
In this way the money can be used not only to help one individual, but to build an entire community.

In the process, it develops self-respect.
In the process, it provides access to the banking system.
In the process, it develops literacy, leadership and business management.

In the process, it develops entrepreneurial skills.
It empowers women and brings about long-term societal changes with regard to equality for women.

MICRO-CREDIT is an effective, proven way of eradicating poverty and providing real sources of income for poor families.

The women are most certainly better off because of the work of our program partners – many women go on to take out multiple loans in order to grow their businesses even further.
Most banks and money lenders wouldn't even consider offering small loans to poor women, and those that do often charge ridiculous fees and interest that people are unable to pay back.
Our program offers a workable, empowering and life-changing alternative to that system.

This program is an incredible success story.
All of us at PWS&D are frequently inspired and impressed with the great stories we hear of life-changing improvements made to the lives of women and their families.
You can be assured that any funds you send in to this project will ensure this important work can continue.

Jesus said in John 10:10
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Will you join us in Christ’s mission?

You can be a part of bringing Christ’s love to these people in a significant way by:

Buy from our Bake Sale at the end of the month (Feb. 27)
Collecting your bottles and cans and bringing them to the church

Joining us for a soup lunch where donations for PWS&D will be accepted (Feb 27)

Collecting pennies in your boxes (boxes are available for pick up or drop off at the church)
even by making a donation through your offering envelope and labeling it PWS&D Mozambique