Economic Development
Lasting Stability
Economic Development is the backbone of development and the foundation of indigenous sustainability. It provides families stability and the opportunity to sustain their development long after 410 Bridge departs their community.
Economic Development Programs
Business Start-up Training
This Biblically-based program helps trainees learn how to identify a business opportunity, develop that idea, start and manage the business, and hopefully grow it to provide jobs to others.
Foundations for Farming
This Biblically-based program helps trainees learn about land preparation, fertilization, appropriate planting techniques, weed control, thinning, top dressing, and making compost.
Savings Groups
This program teaches trainees Biblical principles of financial stewardship but also gives access to a savings fund for people who are normally marginalized by traditional banking systems.
Living Seeds Program
A livestock is gifted to a vulnerable family in the community, identified by the local church. There are 2 options a family can choose from: a goat, or a sheep. The beneficiary is required to build a pen for the animal, cover the cost of vaccines, and contribute 20% of the cost to purchase the animal. Then they are trained on how to care for the animals, manage them, and grow their flock for profit.
When the animal produces its first offspring, it is given to another family in the community. Our livestock coordinator in Kenya, Byron, does annual follow-ups to ensure livestock is healthy, and managed well, and that the first offspring (or “first fruit”) is given to another needy family, as identified by the local church.
How Does Our Economic Development Program Work?
Economic development is a big part of our model in lifting a community out of poverty when it comes to sustainability. Our goal while working in a community is to set them on a trajectory to grow much further than just while we are working in the community.
Implementing our economic development programs, such as Business Startup Training, Foundations for Farming, HOPE savings groups ministry, and livestock distributions, is key to this goal. We have customized curriculums used in these trainings that teach biblical principles around empowerment and resourcefulness. We work closely with strategic partners such as HOPE International (Savings Groups) to make these programs successful.
Many Leadership Council (LC) members are participants in the economic development trainings and programs that we offer in our communities. As leaders in their community, they are expected to manage the details of the development projects being executed and to be good examples of productive community members. We want them trained in areas that will help with those requirements. They also help our 410 Bridge in-country staff with logistics in the community and identifying class participants that will benefit the most in participating in these programs.
For any 410 Bridge economic development program, the community is expected to participate in the implementation. Obviously, all class participants are from the community and invested in the training. They are giving their time and depending on the program, they are expected to invest financially.
For example, in our Business Startup training, we do not provide seed money to help them start a business. Also, within our livestock distribution program, the beneficiary of an animal is required to give the firstborn to another community member.
The Impact of Our Economic Development Programs
Watch below to learn more!
Playlist
Learn More From Our Blogs Below!
Empowering Entrepreneurs: BST Training in Kahuria Community
Exciting progress is underway in Kahuria Community! Recently, 43 trainees graduated from a four-week Business Skills Training (BST) program, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in entrepreneurship. This latest graduating class marks the seventh BST training session in Kahuria, bringing the total number of trained households to over 350 out of 459—a remarkable achievement for this vibrant community.
A Summer Trip to Ndibai, Kenya
In July, I had the privilege of leading a Kenya Open team, and I’d love to share some of the experiences that left a lasting impact on me. Our team was a diverse group of 12 people from five U.S. states and Toronto, Canada, with five of us being repeat trip participants. It was a wonderful mix of individuals—some with deep knowledge of 410 Bridge and others who were just beginning to learn about our work.
Finding Hope in Las Lomas: Filogonio Figueroa’s Journey of Resilience and Renewal
In the heart of Las Lomas, Huehuetenango, Filogonio Figueroa, a devoted father of three, once found himself at a crossroads. Economic hardships and a lack of employment weighed heavily on his family, leading him to consider a difficult decision—migrating to the United States in search of a better life. But just as Filogonio began planning his journey, a new opportunity appeared in his community that would change the course of his life.
