economic opportunities

As I do this work, I've decided that the trouble with poverty is the lack of options. Those in poverty are so burdened by their circumstance that they don't have the option to pursue educational or employment opportunities that would improve their circumstance. One of the things we try to do is to provide productive options to those in poverty. I was recently in Sri Lanka and visited two projects.

One is a widows economic empowerment project. Sri Lanka is in a civil war. Many men have died in war or simply disappeared. Women are left in vulnerable situations as they have to find a way to financially support their families. We have helped women begin vegetable stands like this one. This mother increased her income from $6 per month to $93 per month, which is enough for her family to live on. She is also off work by 1pm each day, which allows her to be home before her kids get home from school.


We also provide training and materials for women to build baskets out of palm leaves. We helped negotiate a contract with the government to buy these handicrafts so the women have steady income for their work. I bought this basket as a beach bag gift for my friend Yasmine in Dubai.


Civil war also has negative effects on the children. Many are recruited as child soldiers, and because they don't have many options they acquiesce. We provide training opportunities for the young boys to learn a trade as an alternative to war. These boys have learned how to weld. Their products are in high demand on the island because of the quality of their work.


overcoming poverty through training and support - not a hand out, but a hand-up out of difficult circumstances.