A Little Light, Many Smiles

When women faith leaders gathered for a workshop, Kusiyana sat quietly in the back. She hardly spoke, her face heavy with the weight of struggles she carried alone. Later, we learned her story. At just 33, a wife and mother of four, she and her husband had no reliable source of income. There were days when food was scarce, when her children missed school, and when whispers from the community added to her pain.

Through the Empower Her initiative under the CWFL Capstone project, Kusiyana received $60 to start a small vegetable business. With determination, she grew her profits, expanded into selling fish, and soon her husband joined her in running the business. Today, her family business is worth $250, and for the first time, they can put food on the table and send their children to school with pride.

Kusiyana’s journey reminds us of what hope looks like when women are given the chance to thrive. Once withdrawn and sad, she now faces the world with a smile—her strength and resilience shining through.

There are countless women like Kusiyana who are still waiting for that small spark to change everything. With your support, we can help more families find food security, education, and dignity. Your gift brings light, hope, and more smiles to families around the world.