Escaping the Poverty Trap

Can you imagine commencing 11 new businesses in three years? We celebrate this achievement with the people of the Klong Toey slum community in Bangkok. Some of these new projects include a cooking school, a catering service, a fresh food delivery service, an ice-cream business, a coffee shop, a massage service, a mini-van hiring service and driving school and jewellery parties. Each of these enterprises provides a way to make a living with dignity and respect without accumulating an overwhelming debt.
 

The issue of debt and the exorbitant interest charged by money lenders are huge problems for anyone seeking to escape the poverty cycle in the slums of Klong Toey. Helping Hands was set up by residents of the slum community with the support of UNOH (Urban Neighbours of Hope) workers, with the aim of sparking micro-enterprise businesses throughout the community. This mentor based program utilises the existing skills of local people to guide and train others in establishing successful small businesses. Helping Hands assists neighbours in accessing markets and credit support, providing the residents of the slum with a ‘hand up’ as opposed to a hand out. Recipients who are successful in establishing businesses are invited to join the leadership of the project to help in supporting and resourcing new and existing projects. They currently have a team of six offering this support and oversight.

 

Anji Barker comments, “It’s not just income generation that is the joy, it’s seeing neighbours rise up with pride at each new experience. Seeing how well they are able to do and how they have taken and used this little bit of opportunity to make something amazing and precious is truly an act of God’s great power.”

 

This ministry is made possible through the support of Churches of Christ Overseas Aid.