Savings Groups in South Asia are paving the way for women who were once marginalized and shunned by society to find hope, acceptance, and transformation. This church-centered initiative provides an opportunity for women to save money and receive financial help, but it also accomplishes so much more.
What Is a Savings Group?
of participants are women.
Savings Groups are church-based initiatives within communities in South Asia. A typical Savings Group has 10-15 participants who each agree to save a small amount of their income and make it accessible to others within their group if a financial need arises. This type of micro-loan enables families to become financially stable and largely financially independent since resources come from within the group rather than outside sources.
Additionally, about 90% of participants are women. In South Asian culture, society perceives women to have little value which is why many find themselves marginalized and isolated. These groups offer new-found financial stability, a sense of belonging, and community something they likely would not find otherwise.
“So now you […] are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” — Ephesians 2:19 (NLT)
How Do Savings Groups Support One More Child’s Mission?
One More Child exists to provide Christ-centered services to vulnerable children and struggling families. Globally, we achieve this mission by building long-term partnerships with local ministry partners in several countries, including South Asia.
Many of the Savings Group members are in communities we already serve through child sponsorship, mission trips, feeding programs, or other ministry efforts. Savings Groups provide an additional opportunity to come alongside families and individuals through helping them achieve financial stability, praying together, sharing the Gospel, and cultivating deeper, loving relationships in a supportive community.
One More Child supports Savings Groups primarily by providing the training and materials needed to facilitate them. The groups are self-led by community members and evaluated in regular cycles of 12–15 months. Currently, there are about 400 participants across 30 different locations.
Lives Transformed Through Savings Groups
When women in a Savings Group come together to help a fellow member with a loan, they demonstrate the power of collective effort and mutual aid. This support uplifts individuals while strengthening bonds within the community and fostering unity and shared responsibility.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” — John 13:34 (NIV)
Nila*, a mother of two, faced relentless challenges trying to make ends meet. Despite her husband’s income and her work as a maid, laundry worker, and dishwasher, financial struggles seemed unending. One of her greatest challenges was cooking for her family. The limitations of a traditional stove and the need to gather firewood meant she could only prepare one meal at a time.
Several months ago, Nila joined a church-centered savings group. The women in the group, familiar with her struggles, rallied around her and provided a small loan to purchase a gas stove. The stove saves her time and effort in meal preparation.
With tears of gratitude, Nila expressed her heartfelt thanks to the savings group for believing in her and helping a dream come a reality. Empowered by this support, Nila feels hopeful about changing her life and is proud to own her first gas stove.
As these women continue to grow and support one another, they are breaking free from cycles of poverty and exploitation, embracing a brighter future filled with promise.
Another participant, Reva*, considers the group’s monthly meetings a beacon of hope. These gatherings provide spiritual nourishment through Bible study and opportunities to pray for each other’s needs.
“The church is the only place where we are treated with dignity and respect, without facing discrimination. Here, we are not judged or looked down upon, but rather loved and accepted for who we are,” Reva shared.
This same sentiment is shared by a group of 10 women, all of whom are living with HIV. Some have lost their husbands, while others face the stigma of living alone. Despite the societal shame associated with their illness, these women have found hope in Jesus Christ through the church-centered savings group.
We praise God for turning stories of struggle into stories of hope and how Nila and Reva can now be an inspiration to others!
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” — 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
*Names changed for privacy
Make an Impact in South Asia
Consider giving financially to support One More Child’s ministry in South Asia. Whether by sponsoring a child, going on a mission trip, or supporting our community development efforts like Savings Groups with a one-time or recurring donation, every dollar given is appreciated and used to serve individuals in our care.