A South Sudan Savings Group

Friend,

I confess, my family and I are Olympic enthusiasts. My ability to watch sports that I typically have no interest in following (ping pong, rugby, synchronized diving- yes, yes, yes) is surpassed only by my fascination with the stories about obstacles the athletes or teams had to overcome to represent their nation. I even enjoy the commercials that interrupt programming as they are typically centered around aspirational themes that represent the best of competition.   

One of the most inspiring stories of this Olympics has been the meteoric rise of South Sudan’s basketball team. This was their first year to qualify for the Olympics and represent their young country. The team played a spectacular pre-Olympic exhibition game against the seasoned and well-medaled Team USA, with the final score being 101-100. USA barely squeaked by with a win because of a last minute basket by LeBron James. South Sudan has since beaten Puerto Rico for their first ever Olympic win.

Part of the thrilling journey of South Sudan’s team is also what inspires me in our Savings Group members. Their hard earned firsts, discovering their God-given capacities and talents despite insurmountable challenges brought on by extreme poverty and conflict, is an inspiration. Learning how to read for the first time as a mother of six; starting a business when you are told you can only gather wood; becoming a landowner as a widow; saving and investing in the capacity of others despite your own need. These are all gold medal-worthy endeavors.

Thank you for partnering with Five Talents and cheering on our program participants to achieve their dreams of a better life.