Success beyond setbacks
Alemnesh walked through the doors of Life Center Ethiopia, TOLI’s partner ministry, in utter need. She was displaced from her home because of ethnic conflict, living in extreme poverty, and desperate to provide for her family of ten.
But Alemnesh’s story isn’t about what she lacked, it’s about the abundance of what she has to give.
And our partners at Life Center Ethiopia are SO good at seeing the abundant capabilities and God-given worth of every person who walks through their doors. Life Center provides the TOLI program to widows in their ministry so they can learn basic business skills and receive a microloan to start their own small business.
Through the TOLI Business Basics Course Alemnesh learned the practical tools to successfully manage a business. She learned how to save. With a $240 microloan she boosted her small business of selling traditional Ethiopian spices. Her income increased, and she grew in confidence as she provided for her family.
“I never had training before TOLI. The training is very good.”
– Alemnesh, Ethiopia
But soon after taking the loan, Alemnesh’s health worsened and running her expanded business grew difficult. She fell behind on loan payments, and the rising hope of her business faltered.
Microloans don’t solve every problem. Clients get sick. Businesses struggle. Life happens. But that’s why the TOLI program is more than just entrepreneurship, it’s holistic transformation.
TOLI partners equip clients with holistic tools to thrive and flourish, truly transforming hearts and minds, not just income levels. At the TOLI Business Basics Course, clients learn about overcoming obstacles, dreaming, and leadership. They leave knowing they’re capable of success and are valuable because God loves them. When they receive a microloan, a TOLI Social Worker walks with them through every hurdle and success – folding them into a culture of love and unity.
“I want everyone to become a family, where everyone can get a touch, a hug, and love. It’s not about making people rich. I want to change people’s minds and hearts, and to do this, they have to get a sense of a culture of love and unity.”
– Mulu Woldetinsae, Founder and Executive Director of Life Center Ethiopia
Armed with a new sense of self, Almenesh never gave up when life got hard. She moved forward confidently. With absolute determination, Alemnesh kept saving money, growing slowly, and paying off her loan. The TOLI Social Workers prayed for her, and with her health improving, she took a second microloan to open a cafe next to her spice shop.
And now Alemnesh gives to others! She pays her children’s school fees, takes in family members displaced because of conflict, and employs another woman to help her in the shop. Alemnesh even leads a savings group – teaching widows like her that they are capable of saving and growing a business too.
In 18 months, Alemnesh’s life totally transformed from that day when she first walked into Life Center. She’s now a confident provider, a generous leader, and a woman who knows she's loved by God.
And of course, there will be more obstacles. But beautifully, what defines Alemnesh is not the obstacles or what she lacks, but all that she is and all that she has to give.
And THANK YOU for supporting Alemnesh and entrepreneurs like her.
– Come pray with us –
TOLI TUESDAY PRAYER GATHERING
Tuesday August 8th from 8-9am MT
Join us via Zoom: Email Audrey for your link OR
In person at the TOLI office: 5785 N. Union, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Engage your church
Is your church interested in partnering with TOLI to engage the nations? Help spread God's story of transformation, grow the program to reach more communities, and add much needed prayer warriors to the team by engaging your church with TOLI. If you're interested, please email Amy Cullins and include your church and missions pastor's name. We'd love your congregation to be a part of the TOLI family!