Sanne, the first HOPE Fund

Sanne

The HOPE Fund that Wendy and I are currently revamping had it's start in Nepal in a village named Sanne, in the Dhankuta district of East Nepal in 2008. Due to some very unforseen circumstances, I just returned from my first trip there. This was a village that my pastor, Michael, had previously visited a couple years ago. It was neat following in his footsteps and sleeping in the same home where he slept. I was truly blessed to see what God has accomplished through our church planter and through the HOPE Fund.

I can't help but to think I should have come to Saane almost 2 years ago. There is so much I could have learned. So many lessons we have learned by studying Microfinance research, we could have learned by studying this program. Our two first HOPE Funds were run very differently and we found some interesting things. Many things we added to our new program, they were already doing them in Sanne.

This fund started with little capital, $1800, and with this small amount, 46 loans have been given. I was able to interview some who had just received loans as well as others who had been some of the first to receive loans.

Our first interview was with Bhim Bahadur Pulami, who received his his first loan in 2008 where he started a furniture making business which included training and equipment. Before the HOPE Fund, he had no land of his own and no way to start any type of business for himself, and no collateral to get a conventional loan. His family had no money and they were struggling to even survive. Bhim is now a proud land owner, has built their family a nice house and has sent his children to school. Bhim now sends money every month to his daughter who is in medical school. He has a thriving business and is truly one of the best examples of what we want to accomplish. Fighting poverty by empowering people through small loans to be able to create wealth to change their families status and to feed and educate their children. Bhim's family has completely changed and he completely believes in Jesus!


Pastor Bhakta (left) has done an amazing job here, bringing Christ to the people and changing people's lives as well as through the numerous micro loans which have allowed hundreds of people to come out of extreme poverty and are now living lives which includes kids being fed and sent to school. Those who had no land now are landowners and thriving in their community.


Having seen the results of loans that were given out 6 years ago, the fruits speak for themselves. I just feel so privileged to have seen what has been accomplished, and know that even years after I depart Nepal, the HOPE Fund we have improved, will continue to change countless lives. Praise be to God for his grace and love he has for all of the peoples of this world. 

This is the man who was the VDC leader of Sanne for years, he has now come to Christ and preaches at the church! This all came about because he was asked to be a board member for the HOPE Fund in Sanne, and after time began to see the truth and find the love of God.

We also did an audit while we were there, gathering all of the financial and personal data of the loans that were given. Wendy will spend the next week at least, putting together all of the details and making sense out of it. Thank God for my wife that has so many talents, abilities, and patience!

This is the Pastor's entire family that was present just before we left to begin our trip back. Speaking of the trip out to Sanne and back, I could easily write a funny blog outlining the difficulties and adventure. Some time soon I will post about traveling, especially on local busses.


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