Savings Group in Rwanda - Saddleback Church PEACE Plan

About this sermon

As a mother of seven children in Rwanda, Clementine Mukandori was once a farmer, earning next to nothing to help provide for her family. Despite her efforts, there was not enough money to buy clothes, food, and pay for their basic household needs. Through her church, Clementine learned of a credit and saving group. Created through the local church, savings groups teach people how to save money to start micro-businesses. Little by little she saved, starting out with 100 Rwandan Francs and eventually saving 500—just enough to open an account. Eventually Clementine requested a small loan to open her own restaurant. It didn’t take long before her business took off, earning as much as 70,000 Rwandan Francs per week. With those funds, she was able to pay back her loan and earn interest on bigger savings. She even started investing in the dreams of others in her community. Today, the caring mother can easily pay for food, clothing, health insurance, and school fees. She looks back on her past and is so thankful for the changes she has made and the opportunities she’s been given through the church. “This savings group has been so helpful to the life of my family,” says Clementine. “Now we can dress well, and go to church feeling proud of what God has blessed us with. If it weren’t for the church and the saving group, I would still be among the poorest of the poor.” To learn more about what Saddleback Church is doing through the PEACE Plan in Rwanda and how you can get involved, visit http://saddleback.com/connect/ministry/the-peace-plan/lake-forest

Topics

• Peace
• Church & Fellowship
• The Church