Myth: If I give overseas, it doesn’t get to the people who need it most.

Truth: E3 funds small local organisations who make sure every penny is helping those who are most vulnerable and in need.

E3’s CEO, Sinatra, makes sure of it as he encourages and works closely with our partners. Together they plan objectives, outcomes and activities, monitor and evaluate the work and meet with the people who are being supported.

Myth: Someone who is diagnosed with HIV has no hope and no future.

Truth: With Antiretroviral medication, nutritious food and the right support, people can live healthy and productive lives well into old age.

Sunrise Ministries in Malawi runs door-to-door testing and counselling so people can find out their status. It empowers people living with HIV through education and support groups so they understand how to live and eat well, take their antiretroviral medication effectively and share their experiences and challenges with others. Through the groups, people can set up small businesses and agricultural activities to afford nutritious food and meet their family’s other needs.

Myth: My small donation will never make a difference. Truth: It does. £1.50 / $2 provides a nutritious lunch for three children so they can concentrate at school.

Food is scarce at home and hungry children struggle to concentrate on their school work. The meals help them focus so they can make the most of school and be healthier and stronger. Since E3 started funding school meals, teachers have reported improved levels of concentration in the classroom and their job is made easier because children are attending school every day. Some children are on HIV treatment, which makes a decent meal even more vital.

“My mother does not work. Every day she looks for odd jobs. If she chances work, she will bring some food. Some days we do not eat anything. I am happy that food is provided at school. Sometimes the meal I eat here is the only meal for the day. The school meals are good. Without your help, we would go hungry.”

Myth: My small donation will never make a difference.

Truth: It does. £3 / $4.20 funds sanitary pads so a teenage girl in South Africa can go to school without discomfort, feel confident and not need to skip school out of embarrassment.

Being able to afford and access sanitary pads is a huge challenge for girls and women in the communities in which we work. Some miss school because of a lack of sanitary pads. Many have to improvise and use old rags, which affects their self-confidence and makes them feel ashamed and embarrassed. That’s why E3 and our partners distribute sanitary pads each month, as well as running Girls’ Support Groups, which create a safe place to explore challenges like teenage pregnancy and self-esteem, share God’s word and encourage each other.

“The project has helped me because before during my periods, I missed school, but now I can go to school every day and stay in class.”

Myth: My small donation will never make a difference.

Truth: It does. £7 / $10 a month enables an orphaned and vulnerable child to stay at school and thrive.

Back to School provides uniform, shoes and equipment for orphaned and vulnerable children who otherwise would be unable to attend school. The Life Skills Classes help children grow in confidence, cope with past experiences, focus on their school work and look to the future with hope. Sanitary pads are provided to girls so they don’t have to miss school each month. Some children are now finishing school, passing their exams and going on to university.

“When I finish school, I want to study Medicine to become a cardiologist. I love this school because we have the most amazing teachers, and we also receive school uniforms so I always look presentable at school. At home, there are 5 adults and 3 children and no one is working.”

Myth: It’s impossible for people in Africa to escape the cycle of poverty.

Truth: we hear of countless stories of transformation as people escape income poverty, provide for their families and step into a brighter future. E3 partners help in sustainable ways so people won’t need to keep asking for help, but can stand on their own two feet.

Myth: Most of my donation is spent on administration and fundraising.

Truth: E3 spends around 7% of expenditure on marketing, fundraising, administration and governance costs – without that we wouldn’t be running the charity effectively and sustainably.

That means 93p in every £1 is spent on our charitable activities on the ground in Southern Africa. We carefully monitor our budget and expenditure to ensure we are good stewards of all that we have been blessed with. When you give to a specific appeal or programme, 100% of your donation goes to that project.

Myth: No progress has been made in reducing global poverty. Truth: It has, thanks to countless charities:

• Millions more people have access to water, sanitation, education and healthcare

• People who faced extreme poverty are now earning a living

• People living with HIV know their status, receive the medication they need and are living healthy hope-filled lives

• People have accessed education about COVID-19 and vaccines and have received face masks and sanitiser to protect them and food parcels and financial help so they could survive through lockdowns and restrictions.

E3 shares good news stories to encourage supporters that prayers and donations are making a huge difference. Of course, there are still many people in need, but there is so much to be celebrated as we press on in our work to transform and empower communities in Southern Africa. We can reduce global poverty, one life at a time. We are so grateful to our supporters for helping make this happen.

Thank you so much for all your support for E3.