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For too long, we’ve underestimated the power of people living in poverty. Charity tells families in poverty they can’t. Uncharity equips them with tools so they can. Charity tells recipients they are not worthy, not capable. Uncharity reminds participants they are created in the image of God.
More than facts or figures, our clients are the real force behind uncharity. The stories below highlight the dignity of men and women empowered to become providers in their families and communities.
Together, Uvita and Zenon are raising six children, surviving mainly on their small farm in Burundi’s hilly countryside and Zenon's tailoring business. To provide for their family, they once had to use every resource they could muster.
Even though over half the population in the Republic of Congo is unemployed, Jean didn’t need a handout. He already had the God-given skills and talents to provide for himself and his brother.
To help provide for her children, Fadzai depended on handouts from a local nonprofit. When they stopped, Fadzai gave up hope for the future.
As you read these stories of uncharity, we invite you to reflect on your own approach to giving. Below are some questions that have shaped our thinking on poverty, charity, and dignity. Take time to think through your own responses, using the included links as a starting point for reflection. We don't have all the answers, but we love to engage in conversation around these topics.
Has my giving created dependency?
"Traditional charity erodes the nature of people and the fabric of society." www.smorgasblurb.com
How does my view of men and women in poverty affect my approach to giving?
"We need a change in mindsets so that people can recognize the dignity and creative capacity of their brothers and sisters in the developing nations." www.povertycure.org
Have I considered the spiritual and social dimensions of poverty?
"In the West, we define poverty primarily by a lack of material wealth, such as insufficient food, money, clean water, and medicine. The poor themselves describe it in different terms." www.peterkgreer.com