"With God nothing is impossible" – Luke 1:37
I've always felt like solving global poverty was impossible. Worth every moment of the fight, but a problem so vast, spread across the entire world – how could it actually be solved?
1 in 10 people live in extreme poverty. That's roughly 700 million men, women, and children.
Then I came across another number that stopped me: economists now estimate it would cost $318 billion a year to end extreme poverty worldwide, using targeted cash transfers that get help directly to the people who need it most.
$318 billion is a large number. A daunting number.
TOLI's 2026 annual budget is $750,000.
We served 7,000 families last year.
But I kept reading. That $318 billion is less than a seventh of what the world spends on alcohol every single year. If every American gave just 0.3% of their income – about $135 for the median household – it would be enough to end extreme material poverty.
So the problem is human-sized, and it's definitely God-sized.
Poverty at scale is finite. Men and women around the world don't have to be trapped in a cycle of poverty. What it takes is people deciding to be part of the solution.
At TOLI, our model is far more than simply giving someone money. It's investing in each person's creativity and God-given capacity – so that they can continually provide for their families with dignity, with a hand up rather than a hand out.
And our program is centered around people and the Lord. TOLI Social Workers proclaim the Gospel, listen to clients, know clients, pray with them, and connect them with others. Because of our people, clients are coming to know the Lord, walls are breaking between Muslim and Christian communities, families are sending kids to school and improving their homes, and churches are full!
And this all starts with our generous donor community.
Our monthly donors are especially important. They champion TOLI's work by investing every month – even if it's a small amount – and by believing in the entrepreneurs we serve.
Would you join us in this solvable fight?
Our goal is to have 100 new monthly donations of $100 in 2026 — and we're halfway there!
“I noticed my life has changed. I believe I have come out of poverty. I can think big, save more, and even buy land.” - Lucy, Restaurant owner, KENYA
God is doing something remarkable through entrepreneurs like Lucy. Thank you for your support, generosity, and most especially prayers.
With gratitude and joy,
Audrey Putney
Managing Director | TOLI
Celebrating Staff: Audrey's five years at TOLI
"Reflecting on this ministry, I sit awe at the last five years. Five years of writing stories, sending WhatsApps, worshipping in different languages (in my favorite places!), and hearing testimony after testimony from TOLI entrepreneurs.
The Lord is carving and shaping this heart of mine through this ministry, and I am eternally grateful."