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.