As our CEO, Mary, drove through a remote village in South Sudan with project partner Rhoda, she noticed something crawling along the side of the road. It wasn’t until moments later that she realized it was a woman, not an animal.
Monica’s legs don’t function, and she moves by crawling. She had been an outcast, unseen, unheard, and forgotten. But everything changed when Rhoda invited Monica to join a SowHope microfinance group. That invitation wasn’t just about business—it was about belonging.
Today, Monica is a thriving entrepreneur. She sells small-wares, earns a daily income, sends her children to school, and holds her head high with dignity. But perhaps most importantly, she is now surrounded by a circle of women who care deeply for her. Women who uplift one another, share their stories, and build each other up with love, trust, and solidarity.
These microfinance groups are more than economic engines—they are communities of sisterhood. They are places where women gather not only to learn business skills, but to heal, to hope, and to grow together. Through SowHope’s mission to inspire women around the world by promoting wellness, education, and economic opportunities, microfinance is transforming lives:
- Hunger is being reduced,
- Children are attending school,
- Women are gaining skills, saving money, and growing businesses,
- Communities are becoming safer, more united, and more dignified.
Monica (pictured seated on the right) is surrounded by the children of her village.