Joy Amid Poverty

Joy Amid Poverty

Oceans separate them, but they share the same hope.

Braden BlydeMar 20, 2023, 12:51 AM

Poverty and laughter don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. People who are worried about where their next meal will come from or where their children will sleep that night find it hard to wear smiles. But as opportunities are created for such people and they’re allowed to thrive, amazing things can happen. Following are stories of three people who, with a little help, found joy in their lives when they had been without hope.

Mahili

Her meal of lentils and rice finished, Mahili put down the banana leaf plate and smiled. “We are so thankful to ADRA [Adventist Development and Relief Agency],” she said. 

Mahili is representative of the women in Nepal who were denied an education because of poverty. Now she is one of several hundred women involved in ADRA’s women’s development projects that offer literacy programs and training that will help them to be productive and gain an income. 

Maya, one of Mahili’s team leaders, said, “I want to say thanks to those who supported us through ADRA! You believed in us! Without you, we wouldn’t have come this far.” 

By “this far” Maya means that she has gained the income and knowledge to grow a field of beans. A friend, Santi, is growing potatoes; Indira is growing mushrooms; and Rambha and Binda have kitchen gardens to provide better food to eat and sell. All of this happened after ADRA taught them technical skills, such as how to read, do simple arithmetic and save money. 

Otgonbayar

A few years ago, Otgonbayar and her family were squatting in an abandoned building in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Her husband was crippled by tuberculosis and only one of her seven children attended school. Scavenging small amounts of coal that had fallen off coal trucks was the family’s main source of income. Otgonbayar would sell it for about a dollar a bag.

Desperate to earn a more regular income, Otgonbayar came to the ADRA microfinance office. She had a plan for a small business, but no bank would lend her money—not even a small advance. 

ADRA helped Otgonbayar submit her small-business plan to a local bank. The bank was impressed with the plan and granted her a loan, with the possibility of more. 

With the loan, Otgonbayar purchased a truckload of coal. Two weeks later, she and her family had bundled and sold the entire load, doubling their previous year’s income!

Today, as Otgonbayar steps outside her home and into the -25C winter air, she smiles at her seven children wrapped up warmly for their walk to school, confident that the family will eat well and sleep warmly that night.

Tembwe

Tembwe (pictured, top) likes to push his hands into the dirt. He enjoys feeling the warm sun on his back. He’s planting his own seeds, harvested from the best of last season’s crop.

At the age of 51, Tembwe is supporting a family of 10 children—eight are his own and two are the children orphaned when his sister and her husband died.

Tembwe and his wife are living with HIV. Thankfully, none of their children have the virus. He says, “On my worst days, my body rejects food and water.” His eyes are shadowed as he remembers the dark days early in his diagnosis. 

Then Tembwe met a farming trainer from ADRA’s farming program. He learned how to nurture soil through composting and crop rotation. He also learned how to keep his food supply independent through saving his own seeds.

Now Tembwe and his family are farming nearly eight hectares and earning cash income through the sale of corn. The family has enough to eat each day, they have sufficient income to pay for school fees for their children and a surplus to buy livestock. 

Sitting in the late afternoon sun outside their home in Zambia, Tembwe and his wife smile, because their future is secure. 

More Articles

What Are the Seven Spirits of God in Revelation?

Dec 11, 2024

What Are the Seven Spirits of God in Revelation?

Discover the meaning of the seven spirits in Revelation, symbolising the Holy Spirit’s fullness, divine perfection, and Christ’s authority guiding believers.

Who Is John That Wrote the Book of Revelation?

Dec 10, 2024

Who Is John That Wrote the Book of Revelation?

Discover the identity of John, the author of Revelation, traditionally known as John the Apostle. Explore historical evidence, theological insights, and alternative views on this key biblical figure.”

What is the soul according to the Bible?

Dec 9, 2024

What is the soul according to the Bible?

A soul, according to the Bible, is the complete person—body and breath of life combined—not a separate immortal entity. Learn how this truth shapes life, death, and eternity.

Did the War in Heaven happen before Creation

Dec 5, 2024

Did the War in Heaven happen before Creation

Explore the origins of the war in heaven, its impact on creation, and its resolution at the cross. Discover how this cosmic conflict reveals God’s justice, love, and ultimate victory over sin.

Is Jesus Michael the Archangel?

Dec 4, 2024

Is Jesus Michael the Archangel?

Explore the identity of Michael the Archangel in this in-depth article. Discover key biblical evidence, insights from Protestant commentators, and perspectives on whether Michael is a title for Jesus Christ or a distinct angelic being.