One thing I love about our Partner’s work is how it constantly expands our thinking about poverty.
Better World Ambassadors creates impact by helping people in need, but this is only part of the picture.
When I recently visited a village in Nepal where our Partner serves, I heard so many stories that paint a fuller picture of what happens when we work with a community.
I met Shiva and his wife, Gita, when they invited me into their home. They have five children and one grandchild. Shiva’s smile is infectious; he was full of laughter as he shared his story with us.
Shiva has a disability from injuring his leg as a child. With little options for work, he couriered goods from Nepal to India—on bicycle—for an income that barely met his family’s needs. The trip would take an hour and a half, and caused him a lot of pain.
The father-of-five was also excluded from community life. ‘If someone is getting married, they would not invite people with disability,’ he said. ‘They would call us names. Really hurtful names.’
Shiva wanted something better—not just for his family, but for everyone in his community who has a disability.
From Exclusion to Restoration
A friend, who’s part of our Partner’s program, sensed Shiva’s passion for change, and invited him to take on a leadership role in our Partner’s group for people with disability. It was an invitation to take part in restoration, extended to one who had experienced so much exclusion his entire life.
Through the group, Shiva received funding to run a general store with Gita. The shop now makes double what Shiva earned as a courier. The family no longer live hand-to-mouth but are saving for the future.
The shop has also given Shiva a way to be restored with others. ‘People come here every day and have a really good chat with me,’ he said. ‘Due to the project, I have more opportunity in my life.’
Stories of restoration, just like this one, are happening all around the world where our Partners are serving. Here’s a quick glimpse of Better World Ambassadors’ collective impact in the last year:
- 2,857 marginalised people reported greater inclusion in social, political, and economic life, and say they are more included in decisions that affect their wellbeing.
- 6,942 marginalised people overcame barriers to gain access to services such as education and income-generating activities.
- 237 community structures have changed in their practices, policies or guidelines due to working with/for marginalised people.
Now, Shiva is impacting others as a respected leader in his community.
At his shop, he helps people with disability apply for an ID card so they can access government support and concessions, such as discounted medication. So far, he’s helped 125 people make a successful application.
His group is also advocating for more employment opportunities for people with disability, and helping people who are vulnerable to network with each other.
People with disability even have a chance to meet each other, connect and get married due to the project,’ Shiva said. ‘At least six or seven weddings have happened in the last six years!
Like many of the people I met in Nepal, Shiva had the drive and talent to make a difference. All he needed was the opportunity to get started.
That’s why Better World Ambassadors are so valuable. Meeting people’s immediate needs is just part of the picture. Each Ambassador’s faithful prayers and financial support means those who are marginalised have a chance to help themselves and their loved ones, and be restored to their community.
The full story is one of partnership under God—Ambassadors, our Partners and people in local communities working together, so that all people can enjoy fullness of life.
Stories like this are taking place all over the world, and our Better World Ambassadors are part of the good work God is doing. Not already an Ambassador? You can be part of the movement today.
Transform Aid International receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Kerry Hilton,
