Giving Opportunities
Women in many countries around the world are oppressed, limited by a lack of opportunities and no understanding of their value and potential through Jesus Christ.
Uneducated, and often unemployed, many are forced into prostitution. Others, deserted or widowed, struggle against the odds to support their children.
To combat these desperate circumstances, SIS partners with local groups to organize the poor into self-help groups of 10-15 members. With the help of trained Christian mentors, these self-help, or "transformation," groups learn about the Bible and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. They also receive education in vocational skills, health and literacy and are taught how to solve problems and save money communally.
Transformation groups are a proven method to empower women. From these groups come Bible studies where women grow in their faith, find courage to handle each day's challenges, and learn to share the gospel with others.
The program also helps women increase their income through microloans: small loans no more than $300 that enable women to start or increase the size of a small business. The transformation group is a source of support as a woman or a group of women take on the responsibility of using and faithfully repaying a loan.
Transformation groups and microloans bring opportunity and new life to women bound by poverty.
- Transform the life of one woman and her family. Enable her to receive vocational and literacy training, peer support, discipleship and a microloan to generate income: $180
- Support a field leader for one year. Field leaders provide training and mentoring for transformation group leaders, and supervise literacy and vocational training: $1,440
"You taught us how to pray. Now I have six prayer groups in my village and my sister has three. We meet regularly and pray for the families in our villages to know Jesus Christ. A few families have accepted Him."
– village woman participating in a transformation group