Anitha Nagara
Small Business Program Changes a Mother’s Life
“I used to worry about where our next meal would come from”
Poverty is a sinkhole that drags families into hunger, sickness, and despair – sometimes for generations. Yet often a simple act of opportunity can change everything, providing wider benefits that reverberate across families and entire communities.
Sudan Relief Fund partners with STAR Support Group (SSG) in Yambio, South Sudan, to provide opportunities like these that can change lives. One such vehicle is the microfinance program, which gives mini loans and training to help poverty stricken families – particularly single mothers – start small businesses to support themselves and their children.
In Yambio, Anitha Nagara constantly struggled to provide for her children, and held out little hope this would improve. Feeding her children was the highest priority, so there was no money left for clothing, school, or medicine if they became sick.
A woman’s opportunity has historically been extremely limited here. Despite small steps being achieved to help women, progress is slow and the problem remains widespread. Anitha and her children faced a bleak future, simply striving to survive each day at a time.
When Anitha was identified as a candidate for the microfinance program, her entire life began to turn around. She had longed for an income generating opportunity, but without the resources to get started, she never believed it was achievable. When she received a microfinance loan for a small agricultural booth at the local market, it marked the first step on her life changing journey to financial sustainability and independence.
The microfinance initiative doesn’t stop at lending seed money, but provides training in basic finance and business practices as well, to help first-time small business owners achieve a successful startup. Anitha invested wisely, establishing a small-scale business in Yambio’s open market selling agricultural products and everyday goods to the community.
Her business quickly gained traction. Saving diligently, Anitha took out a second loan this year to expand her offerings. With much determination and effort, she has transformed her business from one small stall to a thriving business. With the income generated, she can feed her children consistently. She no longer worries they will go hungry from not being able to purchase food.
As she continues to grow her small business, Anitha now carries hope in her heart. She feels motivated every day to get up and manage her business, and she continues to set her sights on exploring new opportunities.
What’s more, Anitha can now afford to pay school fees and give her children the education she always hoped they could receive. Education is critical for children, especially in South Sudan, to lift them from poverty and equip them for successful futures.
“Microfinance has changed my life in so many ways,” she expressed. “I used to worry where our next meal would come from. But now I can provide for my family and give my children a chance at a better future.”
Because of your support, not only has Anitha’s life been turned around. Each of her children are impacted as well. Growing up educated, they will have better employment opportunities, and a greater ability to care for their own families.
Sometimes saving a life is as simple as providing a produce stall in a local market – a small assist with lasting and far-reaching effects.
These stories of Lives Saved are made possible by donors and supporters of Sudan Relief Fund. Thank you for reaching out to give hope and a future to families like Anitha Nagara’s.
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