Simple Beginnings, Transforming Lives, Impacting Futures

Women’s Self-Determination

In India South Eastern Territory, the 370 self-help groups have contributed to a paradigm shift in women’s social and economic empowerment, granting them authority to make their own decisions regarding the use of their resources, promoting entrepreneurship and fostering economic inclusion.

This increases self-respect, family respect – a positive change in the attitudes of their husbands and other male family members – and improves their standing in their communities, liberating these women from mistreatment and oppression.

Women’s Empowerment

The previously impossible is now possible for these women! Taking leadership positions and interacting with government officials, they have begun to actively address issues such as the dowry and caste systems and child marriage.

They purchase assets in their own names, are involved in decisions regarding their children’s marriages and education, and, using the income generated, send their daughters to school and support them in pursuing higher education. They have accessed maternity benefits for pregnant and new mothers and opened bank accounts in girls’ names. 

Standing Together

Likewise, self-help groups have become the dominant community-based organisation in the India Central Territory, initiated by The Salvation Army Community Empowerment Programme (CEP) with the long-term goal of helping to improve gender equality and quality of life. The CEP encourages women to start savings habits, helping them escape the clutches of moneylenders. These women have joined together to promote the economic betterment of many people in disadvantaged rural communities.

It is Well...

In the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, the country’s dry zone, people face difficult climatic conditions and limited access to clean water. So, The Salvation Army established a safe water project with wells built in the districts of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, which has greatly helped to reduce the incidence of kidney disease.

The project has led to the development of livelihood schemes in these same areas, aiding long-term sustainability for communities. The Salvation Army has partnered with individuals and local government to offer help in the form of equipment or agricultural services.

Mango Cultivation

In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, which provided expertise, The Salvation Army gifted 200 mango saplings, specially designed to withstand drought conditions, to families in order to start their own plantations.

This variety of mango is in high demand locally and internationally, and fruit production is very high per tree. A Salvation Army team based locally in Anuradhapura District regularly visits the recipients to encourage and support them.

Hopeful Hands

Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sally Ann (Others) is a fair-trade business and social enterprise collaborating with artisans affiliated with The Salvation Army’s local community work to make beautiful hand-made products.

One of Sally Ann’s priorities is to ensure that women are given access to paid employment and the opportunity to earn their own income and that wages should fairly reflect the work that the producer puts into each product. With Sally Ann, wages always exceed local minimum standards and are regulated annually.

Beekeeping

With an ever-increasing demand for honey, the Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka approached The Salvation Army to help establish beekeeping as a livelihood project in Anuradhapura District.

Families using the safe water wells are among those picked as beneficiaries, educated and trained by the department, and The Salvation Army provides the equipment needed (hives, gloves, netted hats and smokers). To date, around 180 families have been helped.

Hope for all

Marginalised communities in the north and east of Sri Lanka that were severely affected by, and are still recovering from, the civil war are benefiting from regular visits by local corps officers. Many of the families have lost a father, brother or son, and the officers show great love and care as they listen, share songs and prayers, and bring new hope.

Beautiful Inclusion

The Salvation Army Pakistan Territory launched the project Livelihoods for Transgender Community in March 2023, which has given beautician training to the most marginalised community in Lahore. This group faces huge discrimination, and without education and skills they would have no access to employment opportunities.

With the collaboration of a renowned institute, STEP-Skills Development Foundation, a select group was trained by professionals for three months in different forms of internationally recognised make-up. The students felt it was a secure learning environment with helpful and caring teachers. At their graduation, all 20 talented participants were gifted beauty kits to help them launch their careers.

Preaching the gospel

Preaching the gospel in unreached areas of India South Eastern Territory was the focus of the annual three-month campaign this year. From the orientation programme for young Salvationists dedicated to this ministry, eight candidates applied to train as Salvation Army officers, giving great hope for continued outreach.

The India Western Territory is focused on identifying the many gospel opportunities in villages and towns as people seem ready to listen to the good news, despite some opposition. In 2023, the territory started work in Goa, and this year has extended to three new places: Nashik and Aurangabad in Maharashtra, and Bharuch in Gujarat. There are also plans to restart work in places where it had previously closed.

Open doors and open hearts

Each person involved in the Community Empowerment Programme (CEP) in India Central Territory, which benefits people from various faith backgrounds, is exposed to Christian teachings without compulsion to convert. Seeing many women from other faiths willingly and enthusiastically participate in the corps (church) activities has been a source of joy!