Do you have a posse, tribe, gang, group or squad? Or are you more of a connoisseur of friends, gathering only the finest specimens for your collection?  

In any case, most would agree that friendship is one of the delights of life. 

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, 
and the pleasantness of a friend 
springs from their heartfelt advice. 

Proverbs 27:9

But did you know that friendship is also scientifically documented as being necessary for health and wellbeing?  

In 2023, researchers collated 38 studies that focused on the role of adult friendship and one of their key conclusions was that solid friendships are ‘vital to psychological flourishing.’

Our local Christian Partners have known this for a long time—friendship is the bedrock of a powerful, poverty-fighting program used in several countries known as the Self Reliance, or Self Help, Groups.  

What’s a Self Help Group?

Adapted by our Partners across the world, these groups are comprised of people from different households within the community—usually women but some men’s groups also exist—and have several functions. Together, these groups: 

  • Discern their challenges and seek solutions. Our local Christian Partner plays only a supportive role so that community members are driving the changes made in their community. This is what is meant by ‘community-led solutions to poverty.’ 
  • Participate in research, training and development. Our local Partners bring in trainers as requested by the group, so they can develop new skills as a cohort and support each other as they implement their learning. This is usually how people learn the agricultural skills they need to adapt to changes in the weather. 
  • Develop financial literacy. Most people in these communities have been denied the opportunity to learn how to save, invest and manage their income. Alongside training from our Partners, Self Help Groups operate as a savings and loans collective. Members invest a portion of their income, which is meticulously recorded by the group treasurer. Members can also apply to the group for a loan. In this way, the group supports entrepreneurial ventures, and each member learns how to track spending and savings.  
  • Support one another as friends. Perhaps most importantly of all, these groups become a source of joy and strength as members listen to each other and provide support as people respond to life’s challenges. Sadly, domestic violence is a significant problem around the world, compounded when poverty is also a factor. This feature of Self Help Groups is especially important in such situations.  

Jagmati’s Story

Jagmati is a 52-year-old woman from Nepal who spent decades working to improve her life. She grew up in poverty and faced discrimination because she is Dalit—the so-called ‘untouchable’ people.  

With very little land and no education to help her earn an income, poverty followed her, and to make matters worse, her husband was abusive and addicted to alcohol. She felt isolated and defeated. 

Joining a Self Help Group meant Jagmati learned the skills she needed to make her farm thrive. She developed into a confident farmer, and even became the leader of the Group.  

But unfortunately, her husband’s abusive behaviour continued. It was only after she shared her problem with her friends that they formed a plan, and approached him as a group. Remarkably, he recognised his need to change.  

Now he’s given up alcohol and works side-by-side with Jagmati on their farm. 

Jagmati and her husband are seeing success with pig farming.

When our team asked Jagmati to sum up her life now in one word, she said ‘empowered’. That’s why she’s the hero of our Matching Grant Appeal. You can read more about her story here.  

How Can We Support This Work?

Do you want to see an end to poverty and discrimination like Jagmati experienced? You can help with a gift to our Matching Grant Appeal before 30 June. Your gift is critically important as it will help us access funds from the Australian Government so that our Partners can continue working towards an end to poverty. 

The project championing Jagmati and women like her receives support the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).