Leonille lives in Rwanda, in a place called Rutunga. She says of it, I love this area. It is a good place to live.

Leonille used to have a job in the civil service, but in 2002, she was involved in a car accident and ended up in a coma. When she recovered from it, she had lost the use of her lower body and could no longer walk.

'Living with a disability is not easy, she says.

Leonille lives with her two sons one of whom has given up his education to stay home and help Leonille. I rely on people to help, she says. When my son is not around, it becomes hard. Sometimes it even rains on me.

There have been times when it has been difficult for Leonilles family even to get food. Leonille also felt lonely and discouraged. She says that at some points she wished she had died in the car crash.

But now, Leonilles life looks different.

Through Tearfunds local partner organisation, Leonille heard about self-help groups and was inspired to gather together people in her community who are also living with disabilities and start a group.

Now, the group she started has 20 people who meet regularly.

Our group is called Tuzamurane Abafite Ubumuga, Leonille tells us. The name means Let's lift each other up, we people with disabilities.

Leonilles group meets each week to pray, study the Bible and save money together. They invest in things that will generate income and allow members to take loans from the groups savings.

Together, theyve managed to make enough money to buy a knitting machine and the group is currently learning to use it so they can start to sell jumpers. They hope to be able to buy more knitting machines and make and sell school jumpers to schools in Kigali, the capital city.

The group also makes other handcrafted goods to sell. Leonille herself makes beautiful beaded items and has taught other group members how to do the same.

During the pandemic lockdowns, finding a way to sell their products was very difficult and food became more expensive, but the group were able to share their savings so that they could feed their families. Now, they are slowly paying the money back and continuing to build their small businesses.

Leonille has also managed to buy some chickens with a loan she got from the group.

She says, We started with a few chickens, but [now] they are increasing in number. The eggs provide protein for me and my children. This is helpful because I dont have enough money to get other sources of protein. I am hopeful that once they increase in numbers, I will be able to have extra to take to sell.

Leonille says she and the group are optimistic for a better future. And its a better future that she longs for for her sons. My wish is that the Lord God may forge a good future for both my kids, she says.

You can help people like Leonille in Rwanda to beat poverty.

Your gift will help enable work that gives people all around the world, like the members of Tuzamurane Abafite Ubumuga, ways to transform their lives and bring hope for the future.

Poverty is not Gods plan. We, his church, are. Please will you work together with us to help beat poverty?