Have you ever been stuck? If so, then you know the deep frustration that arises when everything you try fails to pull you out of the rut.

Sara Baptista could relate. At 22, Sara is the mother of two young boys. She worked hard farming her small plot of land in Mozambique to feed her family. But the harvest was never enough to last her family through the year. During the months of food shortages, Sara and her husband worked temporary jobs for neighbours in exchange for money or simple food like flour or dried cassava.

Two years ago, Sara joined ZIREF, a joint ADRA and Canadian Foodgrains Bank project made possible in part by your dedicated support.

Through ZIREF, Sara learned more effective agricultural techniques that improved her harvests.

Sara also joined a savings and loans group. Through the group, she was able to save a sizable amount. She also received financial education which taught her how to keep records and to identify and differentiate between good and bad practices in business.

Through the group, Sara took out a loan. She used the money to launch her own business, selling her produce along with dumplings and cakes.

Thanks to ZIREF, Sara has begun to feel financially stable. She can now buy food to feed her family during any periods of food shortages. She intends to expand her business and ensure greater stability for her family.

Sara’s family has pulled out of the rut. She is happy with these positive changes, which are more than financial.

“Today, my husband respects and values me a lot because he knows I earn money and manage to feed the family when we normally go hungry,” shares Sara.

“Thanks to the ZIREF project for teaching me how to do business more strategically and safely and earn more money. What makes me happiest is that the family is united, and our plan now is to think about how to earn money from our business.”

Thank you for bringing greater happiness to families like Sara’s around the world!