Sewing Her Way Out Of Poverty

There is real impact when hope travels in every small action. There are positive ripples of change that flow into every outcome, when each small step towards changes is taken with hope and good will. Although there has been a lot criticism lately of microlending, this NY Times article, “Sewing Her Way Out of Poverty”, by Nick Kristof shows how microsaving, even when it’s as small as 50 cents per day, can lead to huge differences in poverty and opportunity. In his story, Kristof describes how one Kenyan woman, formerly a prostitute, was able to completely change her circumstances by joining a mircrolending group, learned how to sew, and then invested her savings of 50 cents per day into a sewing machine. This investment turned into a dress making business that allowed her to move her family out of the slums, into a safe suburban community, place her kids in good schools, and as a result, each of her children is now excelling in the new environment. However, what Kristof didn’t spend his editorial describing were the impact of good will and hope, and how these positive and pure intentions, when infused into every small step towards change, can result in a positive outcome. In fact, Kristof was so moved by this woman’s dressmaking business success, he has himself facilitated a way for people to contribute their old dresses, in case any of you are interested.