Double Your JOY l March Match Funds to Celebrate International Women's Day

Strong. Servant. Leader. Today we end International Women’s “Week” celebrating Pastor Anju Saha,  Director of KGM India Women’s Ministries and the inspirational leader of  ISOS.  Before ISOS, these ladies viewed themselves through the lens of the obstacles they face. But Anju sees them differently: Self-supporting. Confident.  Respected. Hope-filled. Women who are positive change-makers and valuable members of their communities. And thanks to God, this vision is becoming theirs. They are beginning to live new, transformed lives using the bible-based practical training ISOS gives. Anju knows many women in India living in unimaginable poverty. And she loves them too much to leave them there.  Learn how you can be part of this amazing women’s ministry and double your joy today. 

March Match DOUBLES Your Gift

We laughed. We cried. We rejoiced. The KGM Board had just posted the last International Women's "Week" story featuring three widows whose lives have been impacted by God through KGM partners and the ISOS Transformation Ministry in India. We barely hit "publish" when we heard the announcement: stimulus checks approved. Soon many Americans will receive them. A coincidence? Maybe. But then again...God planted a seed in our hearts: What if we pooled and pledged our tithe on our stimulus checks as a matching gift? What if we used this timely blessing to sponsor at least 40 more widows into the ISOS community? We just had to find out what God would do. Please pray with us that God will multiply this offering abundantly to bless His widows in India. The value received by a widow from each $25 gift is immeasurable. Thank you. 

  

Your $25 Gift Helps a Woman Fight for Her Future

GOD BLESS YOU

Poverty is a Women's Issue in Rural India l KGM Celebrates International Women's Day Part 3

International Women's Day
 Encourage: Putting God-Given Skills to Work

"I am illiterate, I never knew properly how to count money and keep a record." So, when Danamma was invited to join a savings group at her church, she wanted in.

A safe place to save money and training to help her plan for her future was exactly what she needed. Six months later, Danamma helps the group treasurer every week. Confidence in her basic finance skills has opened up new possibilities to use her talents. And new choices, too: a sewing or an umbrella making business? Her skills training has equipped her to make a wise choice; her ISOS savings makes her eligible to get the loan she needs to launch her dream.

At Kerusomen, we believe poverty is a women’s issue. In rural India, women have little or no access to education, a huge obstacle in their fight against poverty. In honor of International Women’s Day, see how KGM local partner, Friends Needing Friends, helped Danamma get access to KGM's Christ-centered women’s ministry that's equipping her and other rural Indian women to fight for their future.

Most women in rural India, who live in poverty, have had limited access to formal education. Many, like Danamma, are illiterate. Schooling takes second place to helping with household chores and taking care of siblings for females in Indian culture. 27% of India's girls become child brides. There are also longstanding cultural expectations that married women should not work. Housework and taking care of children and the elderly are expected to be their priorities. Danamma fulfilled these expectations marrying young and soon becoming a mother. Having spent her life doing domestic chores and childcare, she was totally unprepared and unqualified for a job when her husband died. 

Practical Encouragement: ISOS Skills Training & Business Coaching

Isos Transformation Groups offer biblically based training, mentoring, and coaching to help the women start or expand their businesses. ISOS helps women pinpoint their God-given talents and enhance them with practical skills training. Danamma is combining her new finance knowledge and enhanced talents to evaluate the needs of her village and launch a profitable business. "I will soon be eligible to get a loan to initiate the business of sewing or umbrella making." 

Community Encouragement: Support of  ISOS Partners

Women who gather together to worship, save, learn, and build businesses, also grow to love and support each other.  In this caring community, Danamma's confidence has grown. 

The ISOS Transformation Group "helps me to grow towards being a responsible citizen and it helps us to come up in life. We help each others' businesses to grow well. We care and help each other. That is the uniqueness that stands out in this group."

With all the odds stacked against her, Danamma is succeeding. Is it any wonder her faith and courage inspire us to stand with her? 

And that's exactly what Friends Needing Friends Widow Ministry did. 

When KGM's local partner, Friends Needing Friends, heard it would take months for Danamma to save the $25 initial bank deposit she needed to join, they gladly came alongside her to help. 

"Often I dreamed to be part of this group but it was not reachable to me. I witnessed its growth and impact on the lives of many women who, like me, were underprivileged. I saw them become bold house makers and spiritually blessed despite their situations which were not so good. One day Pastor Saha asked me to join the group, but I told him it's impossible for me to get 25 dollars right away. Then he shared that KGM & FNF USA is willing to bear my expenses. Hearing that, tears rolled from my eyes, my "impossible" dream had come true!"

The biggest obstacle facing women in underserved villages is saving the initial $25 to join ISOS. It can take six months or more for most women, providing nothing unforeseen happens. Like Covid-19. The pandemic has crushed the dreams of many would-be ISOS members. 

We believe we're called to stand with these women. Their big ideas, fervent prayers, and tenacious spirits inspire us. And we pray you will be impassioned to join us in this calling. 

  

Your $25 Gift Helps a Woman Fight for Her Future

GOD BLESS YOU

Poverty is a Women's Issue in Rural India l KGM Celebrates International Women's Week Part 2

International 

Women's Day

Equip: Establishing Financial Safeguards

Like many widows in India, Leela is young, just 37 years old. When her husband was killed in an accident, she suddenly found herself the sole provider for her two high school aged children. Her part-time factory work and small tailoring business barely earned enough to put food on the table and keep the children in school. If an unexpected medical bill or other emergency arose, Leela was financially unprepared to meet it.

At Kerusomen, we believe poverty is a women’s issue. In rural India, women have little or no access to financial services or training, a huge obstacle in their fight against poverty. In honor of International Women’s Day, see how access to a Christ-centered women’s ministry can equip rural Indian women like Leela to fight for their future.

Through her KGM church, Leela joined an Isos Transformation Group. She and 49 other women formed a Savings Group, each of them saving $1 a week. Soon group members could access loans from their pooled savings. As they met regularly to save money, learn from the Bible, and share with one another, Leela formed a strong network of support and accountability. She learned financial skills and how to better manage her money.

Slowly but surely Leela’s savings grew to $200 and she no longer worries about emergencies. She is very proud to be a member of ISOS: "I spent money badly. With the help of the group I have accountability. I have an investment."

Establishing Financial Safeguards is Tough for Women in India

In rural India, 90% of transactions are cash. Banks don't find it profitable to service savings accounts for women "who have little to put in them." The women aren't enthusiastic about the banks, either. To many women, visiting a bank can seem like another chore for which they have no time. When household work piles up, it's inconvenient to deposit today what you will need to live on tomorrow. Some opened bank accounts initially in the hopes of getting loans for larger expenses or emergencies, only to be sadly disappointed. Their small savings balances made banks reluctant to give them loans, leaving them at the mercy of informal money lenders who charge high interest rates. 

ISOS Savings Groups Equip Women

Savings: The women Kerusomen ISOS serves save money regularly to stabilize household income, provide a safety net in emergencies, start or expand businesses, or pay for household expenses such as school fees. 

Loans: Access to loans from the pooled group savings equips women to start and expand small businesses or make larger purchases.

To qualify for Isos Classes each woman makes an initial investment in herself by depositing $25 into a bank account that the Kerusomen Gospel Ministries Charitable Foundation helps them manage. Then each member adds to their pooled savings weekly by depositing around $1. As the account grows, members can access loans when needed. In class they learn basic accounting and savings principles so they keep track of their balance and interest. And rejoice with each other as it grows!

The biggest obstacle facing women in underserved villages is saving the initial $25 to join ISOS. It can take six months or more for most women, providing nothing unforeseen happens. Like Covid-19. The pandemic has crushed the dreams of many would-be ISOS members. 

We believe we're called to stand with these women. Their big ideas, fervent prayers, and tenacious spirits inspire us. And we pray you will be impassioned to join us in this calling. 

  

Your $25 Gift Helps a Woman Fight for Her Future

GOD BLESS YOU

Poverty is a Women's Issue in Rural India l Kerusomen Celebrates International Women's Day Part 1

International Women's Day

Empower: Freedom From Poverty Starts Here

Alone. In debt. Physically broken. “My husband tortured and assaulted me in many ways. I tried to end up my life several times; my gods were not hearing my cry.” Shyamala’s abusive husband left her. But instead of feeling free and relieved, Shyamala felt shame. According to her culture, she was to blame for his abandonment. “I was 28 with two young children. I struggled a lot to rear them. Then my friend told me about KGM's Women’s Ministries."

At Kerusomen, we believe poverty is a women’s issue. We also know that poverty is not just a material condition. In honor of International Women’s Day, see how access to a Christ-centered women’s ministry can restore honor and empower rural Indian women like Shyamala to fight for their future.

Shyamala's transformation began shortly after her husband abandoned her. "In a KGM gospel meeting I accepted Jesus Christ who is the source of my hope and life." 

Armed with her faith and church family, Shyamala built a small business sewing clothes that fed her family and paid for her children's schooling for 20 years. But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, her business failed. 

"Because of the restrictions of Covid protocol, people did not want to visit my home. I became bankrupt. There was no money for buying medicine or meeting my regular needs at home. Members of KGM visited me and ever since started to help me monthly." 

Shyamala still doesn't know if her husband is alive or dead. But Kerusomen adopted Shyamala into the widow rescue program to help her bridge the gap in response to the crisis caused by the loss of her business. The physical beatings she endured in her marriage have caused her health to deteriorate faster than her age. The $15 a month pays for her medication and some food.  

KGM partners also paid Shyamala's $25 bank deposit, enrolling her into an ISOS Savings Group at her church. The fifty Isos members each save around $1 weekly and pool their resources in a joint bank account. Soon, Shyamala will be able to access loans from the group to help her rebuild.  

But Shamala's words of gratitude speak little of finances:  

"I do not have enough words to thank both KGM India and USA for being God’s instruments in picking me up from shame and honoring me with God’s righteousness and blessings."

Where Freedom from Poverty Starts

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27

For the women of KGM ISOS, freedom starts with a program that affirms their potential as powerful image bearers of God the Father, Who loves them dearly.

ISOS Spiritual Foundation Empowers

KGM Transformation Groups focus on integrating an intentional, effective witness for Jesus Christ with excellent  business and skills training, saving and loan opportunities, and healthy fellowship. Each ISOS meeting opens with bible study and prayers. Teachings that show the value of women in God's eyes and His love for them, lay a firm foundation for lasting transformation.

It's no accident that Isos starts with a church because nobody loves women more than Jesus. And NO BODY but His Church, demonstrates that love better. 

We believe we're called to stand with these women. Their big ideas, fervent prayers, and tenacious spirits inspire us. The biggest obstacle facing women in underserved villages is saving the initial $25 to join ISOS. And we pray you will be impassioned to join us in this calling. 

  

Your $25 Gift Helps a Woman Fight for Her Future

GOD BLESS YOU

Kerusomen Celebrates International Women's Day 2021

Justice. Opportunity. Dignity.  

March 8th is International Women’s Day and we’re on a mission to invest in the hopes and dreams of women in India. We’re passionately pursuing this calling and invite you to join us this week as we explore what it means to respond to the needs of women in poverty as Kerusomen partners and members of the Body of Christ.