In many parts of the world, the poor have absolutely no assets. They live hand to mouth as subsistence farmers with few means to hold onto resources to support themselves during drought, disease outbreak and emergency situations. When an emergency arises, or there is a simple cost required for a school uniform or medical need, the poor have few options to meet those costs.
One example of an asset that brings a range of security benefits is a goat. If properly tended, it can multiply, provide milk and can be sold for cash when money is required. Owning a goat, or any other asset, has a significant impact on the wellbeing and status of a poor person. Suddenly they have a piece of security, which in turn gives them a sense of dignity, pride and hope that their future is not as bleak it may have been.
Community development projects typically have a range of different project arms targeting the different levels of need within the community. Literacy, education to develop better farming and animal husbandry techniques, micro-finance training and loans, basic medical services such as training and immunisations and encouragement to provide education to girls and not to neglect their educational needs.
Fighting Poverty Among the Boko Project update - PDF here
Hope for Aids - Malawi - Project update - PDF here
Shalom Delhi - India - Project update - PDF here