AIDS: Lend a Hand
The one who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will reward that person for it. –Proverbs 19:17
Meet Agnes Kiambi. She’s twenty-three and she lost her mother three years ago to AIDS. Agnes came from a single-parent family.
A women’s group (WOFAK: Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya) knew her mother, so they sponsored Agnes for hairdressing and beauty training. One of the best students, Agnes received a job offer at the Blue Yellow Hair Salon in Hurlingham. Agnes started saving, and by the time she left her job to look after her HIV-positive younger sister, Agnes had saved $357. With these savings, she bought hair-relaxing chemicals, rollers, a blow dryer, towels and some chairs. She then rented a shop from where she has been operating.
With her income, Agnes feeds, educates and buys medicine for her sister.
Agnes's mother's relatives disowned Agnes and her eight siblings (four brothers and four sisters) after they learned the mother had HIV. So after burying her mother, Agnes took full responsibility for raising her siblings.
Agnes faces stiff competition from fully equipped neighboring salons. Some clients have left. So she's doing after-sales services, such as offering a free hair wash, to retain her clients. She fears they will continue to leave, leaving her with no income. All Agnes needs is a loan of $625 to purchase a dryer, steamer, blow dryer, four chairs, training dummy and a 14-inch television set.
With this additional equipment, Agnes can compete in the marketplace and win back her clients. She will also be able to give her customers quick and efficient service and in turn increase her income.
In addition, Agnes has trained two orphaned girls in hairdressing. She wants to help them avoid the suffering she experienced.
After buying the equipment, Agnes plans to employ two more people. This translates to higher income. Agnes intends to repay the loan in 8–15 months.
That’s where kiva comes in. I read about it in Nicholas Kristof’s NY Times column. Kiva is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides loans to small-business owners like Agnes, who want to make a living for themselves but just need a little kindness. Agnes is not asking for a handout. And she's willing to work hard. With twenty-five bucks, I just added Agnes and her shop to my list of investments. I'd love for you to join with me to help her. Again, nobody's asking for donations. You'll get your money back.
Orphans. Widows. The poor. The sick. God has something to say about our response to these. Admittedly, I'm not doing much here. But I do know we can do more than pray and give, important as these are. We can also lend...to the LORD.