As we just celebrated Independence Day here in the USA, MercyWorks is helping people in Asia as well as in our own hemisphere to know God and to help care for their own families.
At the end of last year, a MercyWorks team visited a Micro Enterprise Development project in Pattaya, Thailand, called “Itsera” (the Thai word for “Freedom”). Pattaya is considered the sex trafficking capital of the world where one of every four women is involved in the sex industry in one way or another. The goal of the Itsera project is to employ the very women at risk of sex trafficking and provide them a way of escape. To view a short video clip, click here.
I am thrilled to report we recently received a $25,000 donation towards the Itsera project! The financial goal for the project to reach complete self-sustainability is only $7,000 more. That is exciting indeed!
Along with this news, we also received another generous gift allowing MercyWorks to give micro enterprise loans to 53 more individuals. These micro loans assist the recipients in beginning small businesses, which enables them to provide for their families. A great thing about these micro loans is they are given to those who do not qualify for traditional loans. People living in extreme poverty often have no option but a local moneylender, who charges a 20% or more interest per month.
The ministry we partner with in Thailand assigns each loan recipient a loan officer. The officer knows them by name and meets with them regularly, offering opportunities for personal growth and discipleship. As the client repays the loan, it is recycled and loaned out yet again.
