Dear Friend,

I recently returned from a trip to Tanzania visiting some of our program partners outside of Dodoma. One of the absolute highlights of my time was meeting an inspiring woman named Eda. After a very bumpy and dusty three-hour drive from the city that went well beyond paved roadways, I arrived at Eda’s home.

Eda was the fourth wife to a husband who was significantly older than her. She quickly realized that due to the extensive needs of his family, Eda would have to find a way to provide for herself and her seven children.

She shared, “Previously, I was in a bad condition just making soup and selling it on the street to get by. I didn’t even have clothes because I was so poor.”

While she was working hard, she could never get ahead, as her profits always seemed to get eaten up by the needs of her family. Her situation seemed hopeless, and she was filled with fear. Things started to change, however, when she received a simple invitation:

“I was encouraged to join the church Savings Group. I saw how God helped me through that first cycle to save and grow diligently. At the end of that first year, I was able to buy a bed. I also have shoes to wear now so I can walk to other communities!”

Eda continued to faithfully save and learn with her group. Encouraged by changes that she was able to make through her earlier participation, her goals and dreams also grew.

“Through the group, I learned to look at myself and use what I have. So, I started very small, but it was from what I had myself. Previously, if I had any profit from my soup business, I ate up all my profit right away. However, I learned to save and to invest some of my profit for growth. We learned to do business, and how to increase our profit and our customers. I still have a soup business, but it has grown into a proper catering business now that I have in the market. Through it, I have grown my life, I have rebuilt my home, and I have a proper kitchen for my business and a store room for my supplies!”

After visiting her home, I could see the remarkable progress Eda had made from her original house to her new home. She has also diversified her income generating activity. Living in a remote community, it is difficult to get certain supplies, so she bought a large inventory of stone and bricks needed for building her own home as well as for selling surplus to others. Now her original smaller house is used to store her business supplies and has a renovated kitchen for her catering business. She is also expanding her housing for extra storage.

Through her growing businesses, Eda can provide for her family and see her children flourish. One of her sons even became a pastor.

Eda shared with pride, “Now I’m able to look at myself with confidence. My group is my support. If you have a problem, our group helps. If you have joy, our group joins in the celebration. I advise my fellow friends to join a church group, as it changes your life.”

Thank you for your support of Five Talents and for playing a part in Eda’s story and in the stories of thousands of other men and women. It has made all the difference.