By Channie Cheung | Member of Overseas Team
Before joining this project, survival was a daily battle for the women in our program. Trapped in extreme poverty, many were forced into precarious day labor or exploitative sex work just to feed their families. The future was not a hope; it was simply the next 24 hours.
But today, everything is different. In April 2024, we launched a self-reliance project centered on a sustainable business: making and selling charcoal briquettes. Now, just over a year later, these women are not just participants; they are skilled producers and savvy entrepreneurs.
Their success, however, has created a new, unexpected challenge. They have become so proficient that their production capacity has outgrown their facilities. They are making briquettes faster than they can dry them, creating a bottleneck that limits their potential.
To solve this "good problem," they have already taken the initiative to start building a new, larger drying shed. To expand their growing customer base, they are now piloting sales in two new locations in town. Their ambition and hard work are palpable, but to take this next crucial step, they need our help.
A Message of Hope, Straight from the Heart
We recently received a message from one of the incredible women in this program. Her words are a powerful testament to the change you can make possible:
"I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for your incredible support. My life has changed dramatically compared to before. I used to barely survive day-to-day... now, I have a place to go to work every day, and I've even started to save a little money.
*My dream is to save more and buy livestock, like goats and cattle. And my child… my child has started to say to me, 'Mom, you're shining.' *
I can't thank you enough for your kind hearts. I pray you will continue to extend your warmth to help other vulnerable people. I will also continue to do what I can. May God bless you all."
Why Your Support is Critical Now
This mother’s story says it all. This project is restoring dignity, building futures, and inspiring the next generation. The women are driving this success with their own hands and dazzling smiles. Now, we must help them build the infrastructure needed to match their determination.
Their new drying shed needs to be completed. Their expansion into new markets needs support. Your donation today can directly overcome these hurdles and unlock their full potential, ensuring their business—and their hope—continues to grow.
How Your Gift Fuels Their Future
Your contribution is a direct investment in the success and sustainability of this women-led cooperative.
About Terra Renaissance
Terra Renaissance is dedicated to creating a world where all people can live in peace and security. We believe in empowering communities with the tools and skills they need to build their own sustainable futures, fostering self-reliance and lasting peace from the ground up.
Join Us: Help Them Shine Even Brighter
Her child sees her shining. With your help, her light can shine even brighter, inspiring her family and her entire community.
This is your chance to support women who are not asking for a handout, but for a hand up as they build their own success story. Your gift will help them build a business, secure their independence, and create a future filled with possibility.
Please, click the "Donate Now" button. Your investment today will fuel their journey and help a mother's light shine for years to come.
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