Mother-of-four, Beatha used to come to church to beg.

Now she comes to worship God.

Pastor Teltorian recalls how Beatha showed up at church looking for a handout. She was one of many, he says. Like her neighbors in Nyamasheke, Rwanda, Beatha faced days when she had nothing to feed her children – and no dependable income. But things changed when Beatha and 20 others joined World Relief’s Savings for Life group at the local Evangelical Church of Friends. Savings for Life encouraged them to put a small amount of money each week into a group savings fund. Every week, Beatha saved 35 cents and other members set aside a similar amount. As the group’s savings grew, Beatha was able to take out a small loan of $5 to buy reeds for basket weaving. Now she sells her baskets in the local market, paying back her loan and earning a steady income.

Pastor Teltorian says Savings for Life has revolutionized his church. “We used to have many poor people coming to church for help,” he says, “but since we started the savings groups, people are able to generate their own income and it’s sustainable in a way that doesn’t depend on the church.” Relationships between church members also improved, Pastor Teltorian says. “The savings groups have removed the resentment and created a culture of unity,” he explains. “Before, people would betray others in financial matters, but today there is a climate of peace building as relationships are being improved.” Through contributions and interest on the loans, Beatha’s group has saved $440 in just a few months – a remarkable achievement for people who earn only a dollar or two per day.

Beatha and other members who once looked for handouts are now giving towards the construction of a new church building and helping to support the most vulnerable people in their community. For Pastor Teltorian, a heavy burden has been lifted from his shoulders. Now he can devote more of his time and energy to the spiritual welfare of his people.

And Beatha? Her days of begging are over. Days of dignity and promise are ahead.

Special thanks to Julian Lukins of World Relief for this story.