Dear Friend,

I once visited a Savings Group made up of 25 widows. Each woman had faced immense hardship, but despite the challenges, they were joyfully proud of their group’s growth and eager to introduce me to their newest members.

When I asked one new member why she had joined the group, she said, "It's because of love. I wanted to be part of this group because it’s clear that everyone loves one another. They all help each other through their struggles."

Our Savings Groups offer a pathway to economic empowerment, which is crucial for those living in extreme poverty. But they also provide something even more profound: a community rooted in the fellowship of mutual care and love.

For those marginalized by poverty and shame, entering into a loving community is life-changing. Through these groups, individuals experience a growth mindset shift in their sense of worth and capacity. God designed us for fellowship. This need to love and be loved is woven into our very DNA, and we either flourish or wither based on its presence in our lives.

My prayer for our entire Five Talents community — our Savings Groups, donors, Board members, and staff — is that we all encounter God’s deep all-consuming love for us in a way that transforms and overflows into the lives of others.

With this in mind, wishing you and yours a Valentine’s Day filled with reminders of how loved you are!