When Auristine and six other women from her church received economic training, they never imagined it would change their lives, their families, and their entire community.
PREPARING FOR PERSECUTION
Auristine’s husband is a pastor. The couple live in the city of Garoua, northern Cameroon, a region that borders the far north region, or “red zone”, where Boko Haram frequently attack Christian communities. Believers there must flee to the mountains each night for safety.
But in Garoua, the persecution experienced by Christians isn’t as violent. It’s quieter and more subversive. In Auristine’s town, followers of Jesus are marginalised. Economic enticements from Islam and open discrimination are common, especially for believers who have converted from Islam.
When Auristine, and six women from her church, attended an Open Doors economic empowerment workshop, they began to understand the reality of persecution in Cameroon and learned to prepare their local communities for it.
A WOMAN EQUIPPED IS A COMMUNITY EMPOWERED
The economic empowerment workshop inspired a business that now equips Christian women around Cameroon to stay resilient. Auristine’s church has a branch in 12 communities and where the church is, so is her business: Femme Capables or Capable Women.
“At a discipleship level, we teach women how to evangelise, then we do Bible studies,” Auristine explains. “We teach the Word of God to women so they can stand firm in times of adversity. Finally, we teach women how to save. They must be able to do things with their hands because God blesses the work of our hands.”
An abundant product in Cameroon is now a source of stability—thanks to your support and the ingenuity of seven Cameroonian women.
“Neem grains cost us nothing,” Auristine explains. “These seeds fall from the trees. We go to villages [and] pay women in these villages [to] collect 50 kg bags at 3,000 francs (about US$5) per bag. When we receive it, we s oak the seeds, dry them, and then we can extract the oil. It takes about 10 kg of neem seeds to create a litre of oil. A litre of the oil sells for 6,000 francs. That’s a lot of profit!”
The women also produce soap using neem oil and other natural resources. “I can say that all these women are now financially autonomous and participate in the financial growth of their households and the church,” Auristine says happily.
GIFTS THAT REALLY GIVE HOPE
Gifts of Hope make a life changing difference to individuals, families, and entire communities. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Auristine and several other women are now able to provide for their households and each other.
Empowering Women is a $30 gift that can help build long-term financial security. But there are other great gifts too, such as $50 Farm Friends that trains families to raise livestock, or $100 Emergency Kit that provides vulnerable believers facing war, famine, and natural disasters with life-saving water, medicine, food, and housing.
Gifts of Hope do a great deal of good, and each gift comes with a beautiful card that will delight your loved one.
This Christmas we’ve made making a difference easy.
