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!
When Faith Becomes Action: The Story of Los Jazmines
Two years ago, in a small community in Guatemala, a group of women and two gentlemen took a bold step of faith. They didn’t have a business plan or financial background. What they had was a shared desire—for something different, something better. They wanted to grow. They wanted to believe. And most of all, they wanted to act on their faith.
That’s how Los Jazmines was born.
At first, it was a simple savings group, supported by 410 Bridge. A place where members could learn to manage money and build a safety net. But it didn’t stay simple for long. It quickly transformed into something much deeper—a place of prayer, discipleship, encouragement, and miracles.
The Woman Who Prayed Over Her Rabbits—And Watched Them Multiply
In the highlands of La Nueva Independencia, lives Doña Everarda Carrillo Velasquez, a 67-year-old woman whose life has been shaped by hard work, unshakable faith, and a deep love for the land. For thirty-five years, she stood faithfully by her husband, who lived with Alzheimer’s for fourteen of them. Today, with her feet rooted in the soil and her heart lifted to God, Everarda keeps moving forward.
“God gives me strength,” she says with a conviction that comes from deep within.
Last year, Doña Florinda Jimenez, a member of the Leadership Council, encouraged Everarda and her son to join a Foundations for Farming course. At first, she hesitated “Me? In an agriculture course?” but something stirred in her heart, and she decided to try. During the training, she visited a farm focused on animal husbandry, and something clicked. She was especially drawn to rabbit farming, and from that moment, she felt called to raise animals herself.
Life in Kiu Community Two Years After Graduation
Two years ago, our partnership with the Kiu community officially came to an end—but the story didn’t stop there. In fact, it was just the beginning of a new chapter of independence, resilience, and flourishing. When we returned for a recent visit, we were deeply encouraged to see how the seeds planted during our eight-year journey together are continuing to bear fruit.
Here are just a few glimpses into the lives of the people who make Kiu such a remarkable place…
