Twenty-two kms north of Manado’s centre is a fishing village of around 100 families called Bahowo Tongkeina.  Unfortunately there is not enough fish to support the community, so incomes are low and irregular. In addition, the agricultural land nearby is unproductive, making it difficult to establish a successful business.  So, some of the men do carpentry work to help make a living, whilst other people grow bananas or vegetables and sell their produce in the local village and at the markets in Manado.

Within this community is a group of 14 women who belong to one of the Bridge of Hope’s micro enterprise loan groups.  They are called the Silo Group and are already on their second loan cycle of Rph 750,000.     They have used the loans to invest in different businesses, including a kiosk and selling bananas, fish and jewellery. They meet every week in a small hut near the sea to discuss their businesses, encourage each other and pray for each other.

The group leader, Rensi, explained proudly that the businesses generate small profits: “I use my income to support my daughter in her accounting and economics studies at college in Manado. Most children leave the village during the week to receive education at university or college in Manado and they come back to their families at the weekend,” she said.

Overall the loan group supports 15 children. Some children are still small and their mothers are glad that they are still in primary school as they are afraid they can not afford high school. Some of the children are needed to help in their parents’ businesses, whilst others are at home and have to forego going to school.

Magdalena, another group member, is married and has one five year old son. Before receiving a loan from Bridge of Hope, she was selling iced syrup and the fish her husband caught every night.

Since receiving the first loan, she started selling some additional products, such as the jewellery and other souvenirs that her sister Uto makes. She travels with her father’s cousin in a boat to the close-by Bunaken Island twice a week to sell these items and some food.    
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“The income from the business has allowed my family and I to move out of my parents’ house into a house of our own,” said Magdalena. With the help of the second loan, she managed to considerably increase the margins in her business. Next to further investments into the business, she used the profits to improve the house. “With the third loan I plan to expand the merchandise I am selling.  I am happy and hopeful of the future,” she added, recognising the amazing changes to her family’s income and their lifestyle since the start of the project.

Magda is another member of the Silo Group and is selling fish. She is married and has a four year old daughter. Her husband is a fisherman but also has to work as a carpenter when fish are scarce. Before the loan, she could only afford to pay for the fish she bought off the fishermen after she had sold them on. Since receiving the first loan, she stopped buying on credit. She can also afford to buy more fish from other places, such as in Manado itself, where more fish are available. With the second loan, she started to sell other items such as vegetables and other produce. “The income from my business has allowed me to support my family’s needs.  And I can now send my daughter to school when she turns five,” she said excitedly. “And I’m really happy that I’m still able to save after meeting all of my commitments.”

The loan group ladies’ husbands received government loans for their fishery businesses. The difference between these loans and the Bridge of Hope loans, however, is that the government loan is just paid out and then the recipients are left to their own devices. Bridge of Hope, on the other hand, accompanies the loan group through the different loan cycles by sending a project officer to the weekly meetings to support the group in establishing and expanding their businesses. The goal is holistic transformation, rather than simply providing financial aid. The different dimensions of transformation, such as economic, community and spiritual transformation, are addressed through the initial training and ongoing support the group receives.

The high repayment rates and the numerous success stories of increasingly independent, self-confident and hopeful people are a clear testimony to Bridge of Hope’s success in developing this transformation.

The ladies of this loan group have gained hope, having seen small steps of success since receiving their first loan and developing their businesses.   The Silo Group of women is considering expanding into the village and inviting new members to their loan group to share their success. They have understood that their responsible use of funds by investing, paying back and saving their loans, can now be used to help others and spread hope in their area.