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Our Work : What We Do :
Community Banks
A Family Affair
Nestled in the mountains of Honduras, the
Deras's spend their day making watchbands,
purses, wallets and key rings that they sell to
the local merchants. "I like working with
leather," explains Marcos.
Perched atop a work table, 3-year-old Marcos
Jose eagerly applies rubber cement to a scrap of
leather. Laughter erupts as a long strand of
glue stretches the length of his tiny body.
"He believes he is helping us and I suppose
he is," Marcos chuckles, as he lifts his
son into his arms. "We all need
entertainment."
"A few years ago, I could hardly make
ends meet," Marcos begins. "World
Relief's community bank program changed that. My
wife, Wendy, and I applied for a loan to start
our own business. With the money, we bought
quantities of leather and thread at wholesale
prices. We were able to make several products
and build an inventory."
Wendy smiles as she cuts and glues pieces of
leather together. "World Relief taught us
how to run a business. We have received nine
loans in the last three years and have paid them
back on time. We started with nothing but now
have a small savings account. God truly has
provided for us."
World Relief's community bank program is
building a better life for people who would not
qualify for a loan from a commercial bank.
Currently, almost 20,000 Families worldwide are
benefiting from small loans, earning income to
provide food, clothing, medical care and
schooling.
Often, loan recipients end up finding
something more precious than material wealth.
They find God through Christian staff members
who share their testimonies and introduce prayer
at community bank meetings.
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