Laure's Story

"I am very glad for the savings because now I have money for a day with bad weather."- Laure, Madagascar
Image of Laure

Laure Reine once lived on the edge of survival.

She could only think about getting through each day. Even the expense of repairing a leaking roof could have left her with no money to feed her two children.

But once she joined Credit with Education, she gained access to small working-capital loans and vital education—tools that have enabled more than 2.4 million women to defeat chronic hunger and poverty.

Before joining Credit with Education, Laure never had the resources to buy materials in bulk, meet her customers' demand, or earn enough money to care properly for her two children. She didn't even have a safe place to save money.

With her loans, Laure was able to expand her business selling hand-woven baskets, hats, and mats near Toamasina, a coastal town in Madagascar. Soon her income—an amount that would seem modest to you and me—was enough to help achieve her fondest dreams.

Some of her money goes straight to food, clothing, and her children's school fees and supplies. But just as important, Credit with Education made it possible for her to put aside some savings.

Laure and her fellow Credit with Education members have an average of $18 in savings. That's such a tiny sum of money by American standards, but for families who live on less than $1 a day, $18 can get them through illness, a house repair, or a hungry season.

With the security of steady income, savings, and access to life-saving information, today she's planning for the future: "Life in our household has gotten better. Now I have more to help my children. I hope that they continue with their education to assure a good future."

Even Laure's infant nephew has benefited from her weekly lessons on exclusive breastfeeding and safe health practices: "I told my sister that she should only breastfeed and I've noticed that my nephew is healthy. When he is sick, he gets better very fast."

Madacasgcar is only one of 17 countries where Freedom from Hunger is working to help families support themselves. It takes so little for someone like Laure to transform her life—access to small loans and health education.

It's a tragedy that so many mothers like her don't have the resources to protect their children from chronic hunger and preventable illness — even death.

Freedom from Hunger is reaching over 14 million women and families in need. A world without hunger is within reach.

Won't you help hard-working women all over the world to make a better life for their families? Please make a tax-deductible donation to Freedom from Hunger today.

With the help of people like you, Freedom from Hunger is now empowering over 2.4 million women to break the cycle of hunger through Credit with Education.

Click here to read more Credit with Education success stories.