OUR BLOG

09 Dec 2021

2 Year Anniversary of the Educational & Business Development Grant Program

Happy two year anniversary to CGN’s Educational and Business Development Grants program! The purpose of the Educational and Business Development grant program is to help Church of God brethren in developing countries start successful, profitable, and sustainable businesses, or obtain training or education for jobs that will provide a reliable source of income. We do this through micro grants that help pay for the training, education, or the start-up costs associated with a new business (inventory, equipment, fees, etc.).

Our belief is that helping brethren build capacity is more impactful than providing temporary assistance. We too often treat others as objects of our charity rather than people who are heroes of their own stories. At Church of God Network, we see our grantees as partners and work with them to help make their goals a reality.

We’re excited to announce more grantees in 2022! For now, check out our “Previous Grantees” page and read through some of the encouraging updates below. If you or someone you know would like to apply for a Church of God Network grant, please visit: churchofgodnetwork.org/grant-program

 

Check out a couple of the grantees from this past year!

Musonda Sakala

Musonda lives in Zambia and is a member of Church of the Great God. She runs a natural/organic skincare business. She produces handmade natural/organic soaps, lotions, scrubs, and body oils. She has also ventured into teaching other women, and young people, how to make soap in order to generate an extra income.

Musonda expanded her business to supplying raw materials to others in the same trade. She used the grant from Church of God Network to increase her working capital and source additional raw materials to supply those in the same business.

 

 

Edward Manda

Edward lives in Zambia and is a member of the Living Church of God. He received an impressive letter of recommendation from his local minister and we are excited for his project!

Edward is using the grant funds to start his own block making business. There are many elements to this process including obtaining a license and surveying the market, but we’re confident in Edward’s ability to create a thriving business!

About the Author

Daniel Russo is a lifelong New Yorker and currently resides in Albany, New York. He currently works as the Manager of Business Operations at Parent to Parent of NYS. He previously worked at the Empire