CBM’S PROGRAMS
BENEFITTING WOMEN

  • Empowerment of Soura Widows, India
  • Eagle’s Wings – Mother’s School, Bolivia
  • Mising Tribe, India
  • Livestock for Widows, South Sudan
  • Literacy and Family Ministry Project, Rwanda

Women living in low-income countries around the world often struggle with gender biases, illiteracy, and little access to the job market. These factors often keep them in the grips of poverty, struggling to provide for themselves and their families.

Lila and Sirati are both 35-year-old Soura widows belonging to one of the oldest tribes in India. Living in remote villages in East India, the Soura have little access to good medical care. Sadly, something as common as a fever often turns deadly, and both of their husbands died.

Being illiterate and only owning small plots of land, both these women were struggling to provide for the needs of their children. Recognizing their situations, the local church invited Lila and Sirati to enroll in the Empowerment of Soura Widows program. Since joining the program, Lila has received financial assistance to start rearing goats.

With two goats, Lila’s life has been transformed. She can now provide for herself and her children and is able to pay for their schooling. “I want to be an example for my community,” said Lila. “I want to show the other widows that they can be a part of this program. I am thankful that I can provide quality education for my children.”

Sirati was given financial assistance and training to start a tailor shop in her house. Now, by stitching clothes she can earn a daily income! “Within two years, I had saved enough to open and bank account and start depositing my earnings,” said Sirati. “Because of this new income, I can send my daughter to school. I am very thankful that I can sustain my own future.”

Both Sirati and Lila have become an inspiration in their communities. Attitudes have changed and the widows are living a dignified life. Villagers are even showing concern and helping widows, instead of looking down on them. Other widows are seeing that change is possible and are looking to Sirati and Lila as role models in how they can develop their families.

The Empowerment of Soura Widows program is aiding widows like Sirati and Lila in finding ways to break the cycle of poverty and better care for their children by earning an income. By using locally available resources, widows receive the tools and training to begin small business enterprises such as purchasing and selling local goods, creating handicrafts and raising animals. Microenterprise, savings support and training are provided for up to 40 widows a year, with many of the women under the age of 40.

RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY -MARCH 8

Image of pink Mosaic logo

International Women’s Day is a day that commemorates the social, political and economic achievements of women, while also highlighting the barriers and biases that have affected women for many years.

International Women’s Day is a day that commemorates the social, political and economic achievements of women, while also highlighting the barriers and biases that have affected women for many years.

Women in different parts of the world use this day to come together to celebrate one another and rally for equity and representation. At CBM, we interviewed Patty Nacho, Lilian Yang, and Laura Muema, three of our Field Staff, on how the pandemic has affected women and girls in their regions, how CBM is working in their region, how they have seen progress on gender equality, and what advice they have for women and girls.

CBM also produced a special edition of Mosaic, where Jennifer Lau discussed women in leadership and the importance of representation with Dr. Cynthia Westfall, along with Pastors Abby Davidson and Renée MacVicar.