Empowering the Poor

In India, planting season is vital for a poor, rural family. For R1,120 you can provide a set of tools for a family to grow their own nutritious crops and maintain their home throughout the year. A tool kit includes an axe, shovel, saw, plow, sickle and crowbar.

Bring immediate aid to women in Asia by giving to the Hope for Suffering Women fund. This provides a struggling woman with simple things like a month's rent, food for her family or even basic medical care when it's hard to come by.

People who lose the use of their legs suffer greatly in South Asian society. They can no longer walk or ride a bike or a motorcycle, which are the most common modes of transportation in their countries. These tricycles are adapted to be operated with the arms, rather than the legs. So even a person who is lame can still get where they need to go.

Millions of Asians rely on fishing to feed their families. In coastal areas, they can cast their nets upon the waters everyday and sell the fish to the local markets. Those in more interior villages fish on a seasonal basis to supplement their incomes. And the fishermen get a much larger profit since they don't have to rent or buy their own nets, leaving more money for essential household needs.

Asian clothing is often enhanced with intricate designs. For centuries, the needlework was painstakingly completed by hand. But today, there are embroidery machines to speed things along. This machine allows a seamstress or tailor to craft remarkably beautiful items to sell, while creating an income for themselves.

Harvesting rice is a laborious process that requires workers to spend hours separating the grains from the straw-like stalks. South Asian farmers have been doing this this work by hand for thousands of years. However, now they can save precious time by using a simple paddy threshing machine. The pedal-operated machine takes no more skill than riding a bicycle.

Rickshaws are like the taxis of Asia. For many low-caste people, being a rickshaw driver is the one opportunity they have to provide for their families. However, many have to rent a rickshaw every morning because they can’t afford their own. Up to half of their daily income can go toward renting this vital piece of equipment. With their very own rickshaw, these hardworking people can keep all that they earn to help pay for their family’s basic necessities.

Carts piled high with fruit, vegetables, clothing or handcrafted items are a common site in South Asian cities. Working as a street vendor is a legitimate way to make a living. Yet many vendors struggle to earn enough money to even rent a cart. With their own cart, a vendor can save time and keep the entire profit for his family.

In places like Sri Lanka and South India, where the 2004 tsunami displaced so many lives, and in teeming cities like Delhi and Mumbai, the ability to make a decent living often involves vocational training that is beyond the reach of the poor. As a further witness to the Gospel, GFA is teaming up with local churches to offer training in such practical fields as welding, sewing or other basic trades.

On those blustery winter nights during the winter season, who doesn’t like to curl up under a warm, soft blanket? That’s not possible for many impoverished families in Asia. Many live in homes that lack sufficient heat and protection against the harsh winter elements. Your gift of R350 for a blanket will provide much-needed warmth and comfort.

On a nice day, you may enjoy taking your fishing boat out on the lake. For millions of families in Asia, fishing at sea is their primary source of livelihood. As a result of the Asian tsunami, thousands lost their boats and nets-and with them their means of supporting their families. Your gift of a boat for R35,000 will equip a family to provide for its daily needs-and demonstrate that Jesus loves them.

These nets offer protection from the sting of an infected mosquito and help to give their owner a restful nights sleep. Most households need several nets to protect everyone in the family. Save them from sickening agony or death from malaria for R140.

"Sewing" Seeds for Eternity with the Gift of a Sewing Machine

Many families work as laborers; sometimes having to sell their children just to earn enough money to support their family. By providing a sewing machine to those in need, they now have a chance to start their own tailoring business. Once the sewing machine is given, classes are provided so people can start putting their new machines to good use.

Give a Family Hope for the Future

With the funds provided by making and repairing clothes in their community, people who formerly had no hope can now send their children to school and provide for their family. Please provide a practical gift in Jesus’ name to those who need it most.

If you would like to do more, consider gathering your friends and family to raise money for sewing machines. Visit myGFA.org to find out more.