We spent the morning, visiting the new Area Development Site in Nhkoma just south of Lilongwe, Malawi. (Of which I will write more in another post.) Then we traveled to a bank. I have to tell you that as someone who is challenged by all things numerical and financial, this was the part of the trip that I thought I could do without. (We had one banker on the team who was practically giddy about this idea, so I figured I’d just let his enthusiasm carry me.)
But, this was no ordinary bank. It was the Opportunity International Bank of Malawi (OIBM). Opportunity International is a Christian organization dedicated to “giving the poor a working chance.” They loan money to small shopkeepers, farmers and merchants so that they can make a life out of the tiny means they have. They help the poor save money and keep it safe from outside forces that can take advantage of them. It’s the “ministry of micro-financing” and it’s making a difference in many countries like Malawi.
After a brief introduction, we traveled into a poor market place in what most Americans would call a slum. It was daunting, dirty, smelly and scary. It seemed dark with the desperation of those who were just trying to hang on. A drunk man followed after us looking for handouts, children seemed to be running everywhere. I think we were all in a bit of shock at it all.
But the OIBM staff took us on a tour and let us meet some of their clients. A woman trying to run a small diner in the market place. Another woman who sells potatoes, scrap metal and used musical cassette tapes. A man who sells food that he makes over an open fire. Another woman who sells corn-meal flour—a staple in the Malawian diet.
But what was really impressive was the meeting we attended after the tour. All those who receive loans from OIBM have to attend classes on business skills and ethics, responsibility, working together and Christian values. When we walked up, the clients greeted us by singing over us (this happened all the time) sharing testimonies of how their lives have improved and continually cheering in their favorite slogan (translated as “OIBM, It’ MY bank.). No Amway meeting ever had so much genuine enthusiasm. And I believe that these shopkeepers are the light of God in the darkness of that market place.
What stood out with me in this visit was the way that our partnership with Opportunity International was going to help us care wholistically for the poor in Malawi. Yes, we will invest in helping them get clean water and good schools, AIDS education, health care and Christian teachings, but we will also give them opportunities to break the cycle of poverty by creating small businesses. Our investment in this partnership will be far more than just a handout or the giving of a gospel tract. It will be about giving a foundation of financial, spiritual and moral education to people who are eager to work hard and let their lights shine.
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