Not all pictures tell the story

We had a hectic day today: Had an area meeting about helping a community to build a preschool early, did the drawings, and set out the foundations before dark. Had planning meetings, visited schools but not the best picture tells the most amazing story.
These women have a lifetime of hurt and deprivation written all over their faces, but have recently been inspired to set up a self funded micro enterprise group. The system moves them to begin saving tiny amounts in their 18 strong group. the borrowed when the fund built up, they pay 20% interest to their fund, and the money has built up. Almost all have borrowed for some of the most inventive enterprises and are all benefiting in terms of availability of funds and their own self esteem.
We began working with them as an Adult Education group 18 months ago and they have defied all norms and have amazed us. They are truly remarkable and we are so proud of them.
Here they are tilling land a group member has loaned them. I might say its a place untouched since creation began, but they are about to tame this swampland and make money out of it, by growing vegetables.
When inspiration and hope join forces they are a powerful combination. This is what we try to bring and the results are spectacular, at almost no cost.
We thank St John of God Services and Br Aidan, for his genious, generosity and care, by taking them in, when they lost their original home .
What a start to my 23rd visit to Malawi