It wasn’t long ago that Mabely’s life was marked by financial instability and limited opportunity. Although her family owned land, they lacked the resources to cultivate it. As a result, the land was rented out for a small annual income. Mabely described this unused land as “a desert, with no life.”
Mabely’s family depended primarily on her husband’s daily labor and lived focused on meeting only basic needs. They had no savings and health emergencies created significant stress. When a family member became ill, they often lacked money for medication and were forced to rely on credit advances, which reduced future income and perpetuated a cycle of financial strain. With children in school and ongoing household expenses, even small improvements to their home felt impossible.
Emotionally, Mabely carried constant concern for her children’s well-being and future, often questioning what she could provide or pass on to them. Despite limited opportunities to build stability and dream for the future, Mabely’s hope endured.
Thanks to seed funding, technical farm training, and support provided through by Business for Transformation, Mabely’s life has transformed. She looks out at her land, once a lifeless desert, and sees the earth sustaining living crops. While the early days of cultivating that land were challenging, Mabely worked patiently. With the growth of crops came a strong sense of accomplishment.
Mabely’s family now has a more stable income they can depend on. They are able to invest in what they have started, sustain themselves through the plants they cultivate, and cover expenses that were once out of reach, including medical care. The project has also created opportunity beyond her own household as Mabely is now able to provide employment to a friend in her community and support another family through the income generated.
Mabely has grown in confidence and vision. She now teaches her children about goals, dreams, and what is possible, leaving them not only resources but knowledge and a future. As the only woman participating in the project, she feels proud, brave, and strengthened. Her focus is no longer only on tomorrow, and she can now dream bigger. She carries hope for the future and recognizes God’s blessing in what has been built in a short period of time.
