What if teaching people to fish could transform not only their lives but entire communities? This question lies at the heart of Life In Abundance’s mission.
Roda Makeir, a bread maker in South Sudan, faced daily struggles to support her family. Her story exemplifies how empowerment can turn challenges into opportunities and spark lasting change.
Teaching to Fish: The Path to True Empowerment
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This timeless proverb highlights the core of sustainable development—empowering the vulnerable to break the cycle of poverty and build a future for themselves. At Life In Abundance, we are committed to equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.
Isaiah’s description of Jesus’ mission offers a blueprint for this kind of transformation. Jesus heals the brokenhearted, proclaims freedom for the captives, and releases prisoners from darkness. By clothing the poor and vulnerable with a garment of praise, we exchange despair for hope and create a spirit of empowerment that leads to lasting change.
Roda’s Journey: From Struggle to Success
Consider Roda Makeir from South Sudan. Invited by her local church to attend Life In Abundance’s Economic Empowerment training, Roda was struggling to support her family through bread-making. The training provided her with new skills, and a $100 loan from LIA South Sudan enabled her to invest in her business. She used the funds wisely, and soon, her business began to grow. Her production increased, her customer base expanded, and her husband joined her in running the business.
Today, Roda’s bread-making venture not only supports her family but also contributes to her community. They can now afford to send their children to school and support their relatives. Roda’s faithfulness and hard work have made her a beacon of success among LIA’s South Sudan program graduates. Her story demonstrates how empowerment can lead to profound, positive changes.
Moving from Relief Aid to Sustainable Solutions
Poverty often breeds hopelessness, worsened by ongoing challenges like famine, disease, and unrest. While Relief Aid is crucial in emergencies, it only provides temporary relief. Once aid resources are depleted and teams move on, the underlying issues often persist.
In contrast, sustainable empowerment addresses the root causes of poverty. God’s promise that the poor will inherit a double portion and rejoice is fulfilled when they gain the tools to become self-sufficient. By restoring dignity and breaking the cycle of dependency, we fulfill God’s call for justice and transformation. As Isaiah 61:3 reminds us, God offers “a crown of beauty instead of ashes” to those in need.
Teaching people to fish enables us to partner with God in His transformative work. Equipping individuals and families with skills and resources unlock their potential, creating a ripple effect of growth and independence throughout their communities.
Your Role in Lasting Change
Over 20 years ago, Dr. Florence Muindi and Dr. Charlie Vittitow met during a mission trip and shared a vision for sustainable development. Their upcoming book, Teach a Man to Fish, explains their approach and features inspiring stories like Roda’s.
Get your copy of Teach a Man to Fish today to learn how you can help create lasting change and support sustainable development.
Joining the Mission of Life In Abundance
At Life In Abundance, we work with local churches to empower communities and bring about lasting transformation. We invite you to support this mission by purchasing the book, praying for our work, or making a financial contribution.
Together, we can help the vulnerable rise out of poverty and fulfill their God-given potential.
As Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.” Join us in this mission and be part of the beautiful work of empowerment.
