September 2011 Countries Assisted  Burundi  Kenya  Malawi  Rwanda  Uganda  Zambia

The MEF is managed by volunteers, many who are graduates of high school or college sponsored by Good Samaritan Ministries. It is now their time to give back to others.

Good Samaritan Ministries is a registered 501c(3).

Mission Empower people to live and love as Good Samaritans.

Microcredit Empowerment Fund "The most valued humanitarian contribution we can make to the people of the developing world is to create employment with dignity." Ed Markiewicz c/o GSM 7929 SW Cirrus Drive, #23 Beaverton, OR 97008 [email protected] 503-644-2339 Visit our website for more updates at:

www.gsm-mef.org

Teamwork in Malawi The GSM Microcredit Empowerment Fund empowers not only its clients, but the teams of young leaders who manage the programs in each country. Obviously, we cannot manage the program from 9,000 miles away, nor should we try. What we can do is empower, encourage, train and inspire the young leaders who manage the program in each country. Because each country has different laws, cultures and clients, one rigid program is not best for all. The local MEF loan teams are entrusted to modify in creative ways that best meet the program goals. For example, in Mzuzu, Malawi 25 potential clients were selected, trained and mentored in the preparation of their business plans. Then they were divided into five groups of five clients. Two members from each group were selected to receive loans. Each of the other three members cannot receive their loans until the initial clients payback. This builds a bond of esprit and a support network amongst the small group of five.

Andrew Makandawire “I am a disabled person. As a beneficiary to the loan I started the small scale business of buying and selling cooking oil. Before I started this small scale business from the loan of MK 27, 000.00, ($162) my income was hand to mouth. But after two months down the line with this business, I have opened a bank account with the First Merchant Bank. I am now able to buy some household necessities especially food. Before this loan I could not do so. In addition to the above I have started piggery at my house which will definitely improve standards of living in my family. I whole heartedly thank the leadership of Good Samaritan Ministries through the leadership of the Microcredit Empowerment Fund allowing vulnerable persons like me to be empowered financially.”

Bella Nyirenda “My name is Bella Nyirenda. I am an old widow who suffers from back ache and I use a walking stick to walk. I was very happy to be accepted to get a loan from GSM Mzuzu after my businesses plan was approved. Most of the lending institution did not allow me to get the loan but GSM has done it. I thank those in authority. Since I got the loan of MK 30,000.00 ($180) my financial status has changed. I am buying and selling cooking oil. Out of the profits I realized from the sales, I have bought sheep. I am also able to support my orphan grand children. I earnestly thank MEF for recognizing me and allowing me to get the loan. Lastly GSM is a good spiritual organization which helps not only people like me but also widows, the elderly, the orphans and the like. May God help GSM wherever it is working.”

GOGO Piggery in Uganda Do you remember Pastor Stephen Buwembe from the May Newsletter? He initiated “The Hunger Project” by creating a teaching / producing farm which taught productive farming techniques to villagers. His latest project funded by the MEF is the GOGO Piggery – “Get One Give One” – One pig that is. A baby piglet is purchased and given to families in the community. It is their responsibility to raise the piglet to a breeding sow. Once the sow delivers a litter and the young ones are weaned, one of the new piglets from the litter will be given to another family in the village. The family that raised the original piglet can then continue breeding and selling (and eating) from their new pig farm. The MEF is proud to support the projects of this true humanitarian.

Deep Water Well in Kenya

New Clients in Zambia

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Water tank

Kiosk watering station

Martha Hanchibwanka used her MEF loan to open a grocery store. In addition to paying back her loan, she is using the profits to purchase TB medicine for herself and her sister. The letter she sent us ended with, “Thank you for touching and changing my life.”

The 86 meter deep water well is completed! 5,000 people, who have never seen clean water other than rain running off a roof, are now able to access clean drinking water daily. The government of Kenya has donated a chlorine treatment system to purify the water before drinking and cooking. Every family will be able to receive 5 gallons of water per day. Rations above this amount will require a surcharge which is intended to fund the electric bill for the pump. The next stage of this program is a self-sustaining livestock farm, beginning with South African Boer Goats. We are targeting a tilapia farm within two years. If you are interested in being a donor to this project; a Boer buck will cost $240 and a doe $145.

Donor Profile For the second consecutive year, Leila Bolster from Brookings, OR has sponsored an MEF client in Uganda. In actuality, Leila has inspired her ladies group to collectively sponsor a candidate each year.

Lister Zulu in the kitchen where she cooks nshima (a maize meal) and banana fritters. Her customers have been increasing each month. She is a pregnant mother of two. Her husband was seriously injured in a bus accident. Thanks to her MEF loan she can afford medicine and physiotherapy for his recovery. As she currently lives with her mother and sister, Lister’s next goal is to afford a house where she can raise her family.

Set back in Uganda Recently there was a significant fire of unknown origin at the Owino Market in Kampala, Uganda. Hundreds of vendor shops filled with merchandise were destroyed to the ground, including four which had been financed through the MEF. Perhaps not coincidentally, a shopping mall is now being built on the site of the former market.

Last year Judah Ssenkungu received a loan to turn his passion of art into a commercial success. This year Kawera Saudra is the loan recipient. She started a second hand women’s clothes and shoe business in 2009 when her husband was stricken with malaria. The loan has enabled Kawera to grow her business and hire a few employees. When asked about her connection and passion to participate in the program, Leila has shared, “Now we have a motley bunch of ladies who give: A retired Mission secretary, a widowed landowner, a retired school teacher and a stock market investor. We all saw the vision of an investment that kept on giving and investing in the lives of others. These are the things we like to give to and serve for.”

The MEF clients are clearly distraught about the loss of their inventory and kiosk. However they are equally concerned about how they will be able to repay their loans. The MEF committee is providing counseling and morale support to these clients and working with them to determine how best to rebuild their businesses.

Charred shoe kiosk belonging to three MEF clients Samuel Mayinja, Christopher Musoke and Julius Nyombi.