Entrepreneurs Working Together

Chalice's projects and programs are designed to work together. School nutrition programs are integrated with school farms and many buy eggs, bread, and other staples from villagers who have been given chickens or a small business start-up through the gift catalog.

With funds provided from the last gift catalog, our Wa site in Ghana helped 26 Chalice family circles start their own businesses. Six groups were supplied with soap making supplies and 20 groups were given start-up capital and training to market and sell soap!

These ventures both had a promising start and future business looks bright. The soap makers can devote their time to making a quality product, knowing they have reliable buyers. The marketing and selling groups know exactly how much soap to expect and the community members are happy to support these local businesses. The marketing group uses their profits to buy more soap and the manufacturers use their profits to buy more soap making supplies.

In all, 26 families are benefiting from these businesses, adding a much-needed extra source of income to their households and instilling a sense of pride and ownership. They now have the confidence to run their businesses successfully.

"Thank you for your blessing," writes Faustina in her thank you letter. "I was given the money to start a business and decided to sell soap. It is very helpful; I am able to make a little extra money to support my family. We are farmers and hope to use some of the profits to expand our farm and grow more food. We pray the Lord will give you good health and prosperity."