Open Hands operates savings and credit associations in countries where Anabaptist missions are working with people who are experiencing the effects of poverty.
Our goal is to help local Anabaptist church communities achieve self-sufficiency and grow in their ability to minister to each other. We hire and train national Christian individuals to form and supervise savings groups in association with local churches. Our objective is to assist the local churches by helping people grow in Christ, and by teaching them to save funds in order to operate micro-businesses. The Open Hands program helps them increase their income. Stronger, more self-sufficient church communities are the result.
Open Hands and Savings Groups
Program Coordinator Roland Devalcy talks about Open Hands and its savings groups, operating in countries around the world. The vision of Open Hands is to help people to be reconciled with God and with the rest of creation by forming savings groups that teach, pray, and save on a regular basis. Members of savings groups describe how the groups have affected them, giving them opportunities to learn, help each other and improve their lives.