Around the world, the family unit plays a key role in the stability of the local society—a fact that is especially true in developing nations. Another fact is this: communities whose economies are struggling at the very local level often see high levels of orphaned and abandoned children. These abandoned children—sometimes referred to as “poverty orphans” are left to fend for themselves because parents cannot provide for them. They are often taken to orphanages in the hope that they’ll have a better life, be educated, and have a higher chance of survival. This is a choice that no parent should ever have to make.

Our Family Empowerment program seeks to change this reality. By walking alongside each family as they take significant, proven steps, the program shifts the narrative; it helps keep families together. It helps them directly thrive in their community, but more than that – it ripples outward into the entire community itself. As more and more families are empowered through the Program, the outlook of the entire community improves. The local economy strengthens, which leads to more opportunity for everyone.

We serve in some of the poorest communities in the world, where people live on less than $2 US per day. In our work in these communities, empowering families has proven to be the most effective course for long term change. Through our local leaders, we train families to start businesses and develop their surrounding community to support them.