• Micro finance provides a stable and sustainable source of income that enables clients to climb steadily out of poverty, while providing better living conditions and opportunities for their families.
• Many poor people have skills that can quickly become an income producing activity. With small sums of money, they are able to purchase the inventory, supplies and tools needed to start or expand micro businesses that range from weaving, sewing, grinding grain, reselling produce, and growing and selling vegetables, to catching and selling fishing, wholesaling dried fish, raising chickens to sell eggs, and breeding livestock.
• Self-employment and part-time and home-based work have expanded opportunities for women's participation in the labor force but are characterized by lack of security, lack of benefits and low income. 

IF YOU... attend a religious gathering without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than almost 300 billion people in the world.

IF YOU... woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.

IF YOU... have money in the bank or in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the world's wealthiest 8%.

IF YOU... can hold your head up with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

IF YOU... can read this message, you are more blessed than over 2 billion people in the world, who cannot read at all.