Discussion Guide for
Recipe for Success After viewing “Recipe for Success,” use this guide to research global poverty, its effect on children, and sustainable community development; reflect on how the video impacted you; recall what you learned; respond in tangible ways; reach out with life-changing help; resolve to follow God’s Word; and rely on His goodness and power.
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M IC R O F IN ANC E IS T HE PR O V ISIO N O F FINA NC IA L SERV IC ES , including
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savings, credit, insurance, and payment services, to low-income people. Typically, lowincome people, especially those living in rural areas, have been unable to obtain these services from the formal financial sector. (Source: World Bank, Microfinance)
W O R L D V ISIO N’S O NGO ING WO R K , especially in development, helps
communities gain access to basics such as education, health, water/sanitation, and food security. VisionFund International (VFI) provides microloans to the entrepreneurial poor. VFI focuses most of its micro-lending, along with support and training, in areas where World Vision has ongoing community development work. By creating new jobs, stimulating the local economy, and working directly with World Vision’s relief and development programs, tremendous opportunities emerge to multiply impact. (Source: VisionFund)
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AT T H E BE GINNING O F 2010, the VisionFund microfinance institution network
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A R E A S O NA B LE INT ER EST R AT E is charged on microloans for three reasons:
was present in 42 countries worldwide, serving more than 626,000 borrowers and positively impacting 873,000 children with a loan portfolio of $373 million. VisionFund’s loan repayment rate averages 99 percent. (Source: VisionFund)
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To cover the cost of running a microfinance program. To help people become financially independent and competitive under normal
market conditions. To avoid destabilizing the local economy and distorting the development of the microfinance sector in-country. (Source: VisionFund)
Reflect T H E GA P IN INC O M E A ND STA NDA R D of living between a typical American family
and the poor is stark. What does this gap say about how we as a global community care for the poor?
C H A NN S O UN A’S LIFE HA S B EEN O NE O F HEA RT B R EA K and hardship. She was
orphaned at 15 and widowed at 22. However, she has managed to provide for her family and continue persevering so that her children have a better life. Chann Souna is hardworking, resilient, and hopeful. Is this the image we normally have of the poor? How do our perceptions of the poor influence our response to their needs?
V IS IO NF UND’S M IC R O FINA NC E EFFO RT S are supported by World Vision’s
investments in a community’s infrastructure, such as schools, roads, health centers, and leadership that will facilitate business growth. Why is it not enough to only provide microloans for people in impoverished communities?
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Recall W H Y A R E M IC R O LO A NS A B ET T ER and more accessible option for the entrepreneurial
poor than loans from moneylenders?
W IT H M IC R O L O A NS FR O M V ISIO NFUND, what businesses were entrepreneurs Chann
Souna and Bo Phon able to start? How do their goods and services meet the needs of the community? What positive changes have they made in their families’ lives since becoming successful businesswomen?
W H Y IS IT IM P O RTA NT FO R ENT R EPR ENEUR S like Chann Souna and Bo Phon
to receive not only a microloan from VisionFund, but also business counsel from their VisionFund Community Bank Group?
HO W IS A M IC R O LO A N an investment rather than a handout?
Respond W H AT W O UL D Y OU B E WILLING to sacrifice to help a hardworking but poor
entrepreneur access a microloan to start a business? HO W C A N Y O U S U PPO RT SMA LL FA MILY-O WNED businesses in your own
community?
Reach Out Consider making a difference in the following ways:
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C O N T R IBUT E T O V ISIO NFUND. Your donations will help hardworking mothers
and fathers provide for their families, create jobs, stimulate their local economies, rise out of poverty, and experience the dignity of work. Visit www.visionfundinternational.org to donate and learn more about microfinance.
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B E C O M E A LENDER T HR O UGH MIC R O (www.worldvisionmicro.org), a person-
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S P O N S O R A C HILD T HR O UGH WO R LD V ISIO N. For just about a dollar a day,
to-person microlending website that allows you to view entrepreneurs’ profiles— including a picture of the entrepreneur, his or her business plans, and how much is needed to fully fund their loan. You’ll receive updates on the loan repayment and the entrepreneur’s success—and when the loan has been repaid, it will be recycled to help another entrepreneur. You can choose to lend individually or with a group of others.
you’ll provide your sponsored child with access to critical basics, such as clean water, improved nutrition, healthcare, education, and economic development opportunities for their family such as microloans and business training. Your gifts can make a world of difference for one child and their community as they continue development efforts. For sponsorship information, visit www.worldvisionresources.com and click on the “sponsor a child” icon.
Resolve »
“ T H E M A N WIT H T HE T WO TA LENT S [of money] also came. ‘Master,’ he said,
‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” —Matthew 25:22-23
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S H E IS L IK E T HE MER C HA NT SHIPS, bringing her food from afar. She gets up
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AT T H E P R ESENT T IME Y O UR PLENT Y will supply what they need, so that in
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E A C H M A N SHO ULD GIV E WHAT HE HA S DEC IDED in his heart to give, not
while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. —Proverbs 31:14-18
turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality. —2 Corinthians 8:14
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7
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Rely PRAY THAT:
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R E C IP IE NT S O F MIC R O LO A NS will be able to faithfully repay their loans and
grow in their business endeavors so that their children and communities thrive. T H O S E W H O LEA D MIC R O FINA NC E programs and advise entrepreneurs in
business practices will have the material resources and knowledge necessary to help their clients break the cycle of poverty for their families. T H E F UN DS NEC ESSA RY T O R UN MIC R O FINA NC E programs such as
VisionFund International will be readily available and that we as a global community will be willing to respond to the needs of the poor.
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About World Vision W O R L D V IS IO N is a Christian humanitarian organization
dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.
About World Vision Resources E NDING GL O B A L PO V ERT Y and injustice begins with education:
understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world. World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.
For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources Mail Stop 321 P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 Fax: 253-815-3340 wvresources@worldvision.org www.worldvisionresources.com
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