Sri Lanka Update …

On November 29, 2016December 9, 2016 By Daniel EmigIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Pushparani's Micro-enterprise

I am Pushparani, and 43 years old. I started my business two years ago and was unable to make a good profit as my business was small and I did not have the money to increase the output. However when I received my first micro loan from GHNI in the year 2014 the production increased which helped me make profit of Rs.6000. I had to improve my profit further as I needed to buy equipment to increase the production. In 2015, I received my second load and achieved my target RS.9000 (purchasing items need for the production.

We were taught at a TCD program how to improve our sales. We are now planning to make the packet more attractive to improve sales. We were taught that higher turnover will improve the business and will be a challenge to similar products in the market. This was another reason for fast sale

I receive the third loan in 2016. With TCD strengthening us we have boldly taken a step to build a market at the front of my house temporarily we have completed the market as we ran short of funds.

As this is the season people come from all over Sri Lanka to Sri Pada Mountain, so business is very good. I anticipated a target is Rs.12000 per month, however with the additional money coming in from visitors we will close at Rs.20000 this month. We also want to start a new business providing dinner items in the future.

I thank GHNI for being with us thought these years helping us build a steady income which can be used for home and children’s needs. Our prayer is that GHNI will stay with m us for many more years. Pushparani

Thank you for being a such an important part of Pushparani’s life, helping her become self-sustainable via TCD! Daniel

Sujo … One COURAGEOUS Young Lady In Bangladesh !!!

On October 21, 2016 By Daniel EmigIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Sujo (edited only slightly from Oct.’16 report received from Bangladesh) …

(name adjusted to protect her) age 15, in class 10 faced a BIGGEST challenge in her life. After her class as she came back to her home she found many unknown guests … all of them were waiting for her! She thought they might be relatives. Surprisingly she found that they came to see her to choose her as bride for one of their sons. She knows what it means and she knows suffering is waiting for her. She took initiative with mighty courage that her family were astonished. She said, “If I am even killed I will not marry. I will study and make a career to help my parents. I will not allow anyone to destroy my dream. If anyone dare to do so has to kill me first”. Parents said that they unable to bare her education expenses. She said I will manage my own. She urged please don’t force me to merry. Parent could not change her mind so visitors left.

She came back to her group and shared her problem. Everyone gave her courage and Kari(TCD/GHNI mentor) asked her what she loves to do? She loves gardening. And beside her homestead there is a fallow land. She with her group mates clean the land and prepare the land for gardening. She knew this is her only chance to save her dream. She work every day after class. Within a week of her labor she planted gourd in her garden. It was complete madness to the villagers to see a girl working for her marriage(NON!)! “She will get married and cook for her husband family that what she was born for according to the village leader.”(said villagers) She ignored all criticism and worked hard. Besides working in garden she is now giving more time to her mother to assist her in domestic work.

Surprising everyone within 2 month her garden was full of flower! Every flower was a part of fulfilling her dream. She told her group, “If we work hard, a way will be shown to us to overcome any problem of life”. She is selling every other day gourd from her garden. Now it is source of income of her education and source of nutrition of her family. “TCD group has saved my life, by introducing life and hope into my life. Still she is studying and encouraging other member of her group.

Kari ... and some of her wonderful children — Kari (TCD/GHNI mentor)… and some of her wonderful children

Thanks for you … in choosing to be a part of all this!

Daniel

Back Up and Re-group!

On September 30, 2016 By Daniel EmigIn Development, TCD, Team, TrainingLeave a comment

What’s a better attention-getter than a Bob Marley statue, complements of Universal Studio’s(Orlando, Florida)!

A breather from the travels and overseas’ focus, our GHNI-USA(and Geneva, Switzerland) team gathered in Orlando, Florida for a few days of re-grouping, training, camaraderie and new challenges for our future into ’17 and beyond. What an incredibly good time of seeing where we’ve been and accomplished in the past 15 years.

Each team member was able to update their specific focus, and do some healthy projections out into the future, laboring together to help each other in virtually all capacities.

From various regions we work in, each of us were mutually encouraged to hear stories of how Transformational Community Development(TCD) was impacting individuals, villages, cultures, and governments, in ways well beyond each of our individual foci. “Team” matters! Administrative responsibilities in Geneva and Orlando matter deeply into each village!

I am privileged to have such surroundings of this team, each grabbing a nearby baton or rope from another to help. We must have each other!

In the months ahead as you read of villages and lives being transformed, please keep in mind that it’s not “about” me. It’s about our collaborative efforts into the lives … bring Help and Hope to the Hidden and Hurting.

And a HUGE “Thank You” for being equally a part of this team … !!!

Daniel

House of Esther – Spitak, Armenia … there … !

On August 30, 2016 By Daniel EmigIn Armenia, GHNI, refugee, Self-Sustainability, TCD1 Comment

House of Esther – Spitak, Armenia

It’s truly a beauty to behold, when one sees one person, impassioned, committed to a task at hand, accomplish so much in 5 short weeks of their “vacation” time! Please witness this man and his accomplishments … Vince Melkonian.

HoE – House of Esther, in Spitak, Armenia is a future home of transition, healing, and wholeness for refugees out of Syria and other needful locations. Seeing that TCD-Transformational Community Development can happen in this setting, Vince is focused on allowing GHNI to serve alongside he and others, as they help some of the neediest people of Armenian decent, displaced in war-torn locations.

To accomplish this, much logistics have to happen in short order, especially as winter is fast approaching this higher elevation locale.

Pig pens were built. Chicken coops were built. Manure, top-soil and fertilizer were brought in for establishing fields of farming. Green-houses were established. Crops planted in early Spring were harvested. Dorms for refugees were configured. Vision seminars for TCD were taught to those living there and locals. Relationships between organizations were further secured, as UNHCR-Armenia, GHNI, ALEPPO org., and others came together to commit to this special place.

Further help is needed in finances, as we secure a manager for, and make all provisions needful for full-fledged self-sustainability or HoE. Will you please consider these needs and all we all seek to accomplish here. It’s a great semi-rural location for vetted refugees to re-establish life and become healthy again. Donations can be made at: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ghni-AM-House-of-Esther?code=Refugees%20in%20the%20Middle%20East%20Webpage

Thank you … Daniel!