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NewVines International (NVI), a faith-based global mission started in 2016 by Virgil Hughes to “provide biblical training, mentoring, and capital to help people work themselves out of poverty and its debilitating lifestyles” (headquartered in Roanoke, VA) has expanded its relationship with Global Teen Challenge (GTC), a network of Christian faith-based corporations “on a mission, mobilizing people and resources to put hope within reach of everyone struggling with addiction.”
Beginning February 15, 2024, NVI is partnering with Teen Challenge in Gitega, Burundi. This marks the third partnership in Africa established between NVI and Teen Challenge. Beginning in 2020, NVI partnered with Teen Challenge in Nairobi, Kenya, and three years later, the partnership extended into Nakuru, Kenya. Chiza Alexis, Pastor of the Tree of Life Church in Gitega and founder of Teen Challenge Burundi, has been impressed by NVI’s work in Africa and began discussing a possible partnership in early 2021. “Brother Virgil has created a state-of-the-art business model in Africa, not only with Teen Challenge but also with several church organizations who understand the importance of lending and contributing to individuals who have been trained ahead of time to use the money responsibly,” Alexis said. NVI’s Senior Trainer Jean-Pierre Djahuija and GTC Director of Alumni Programs Joseph Kajani jointly conducted the first training lessons for Teen Challenge Burundi’s senior leaders. Those who become certified as trainers will start replicating that training downstream to additional Teen Challenge members, who will eventually work directly with individuals ready to take a step toward a new life of freedom and purpose. NVI covers the cost of its own travel from their respective countries to Burundi, as well as the training sessions and cost of materials provided to the senior leaders. NVI is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and receives its funding from individuals and churches in the private sector. Hughes knows how his work filters out into the different communities NVI serves. “Our reach is much broader than the number of students we graduate or the number of micro-loans we make. We’re teaching individuals and couples to talk about their money. We’re seeing marriages healed. We’re seeing our trainers do more than train young and older adults - they’re starting to teach kids as young as first graders lessons on managing and saving money. We’re changing the culture.”
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 Meet our friend Chris - formerly an addict and convict. He got cleaned up through Teen Challenge, NVI's partner in Nairobi, Nakuru, and soon Burundi, then went through NVI's complete program on biblical financial literacy and business management. Soon, he and his wife expanded their business and started a second. He might have moved out of the Kuwinda slum where he lived, but instead, he stayed and started teaching the same skills to his neighbors. He now has a group of 45 women who are working together to better their lives.
Chris is a true hero! NVI loves to find and empower people like him! As we come to the end of the year, please consider supporting NewVines International in our ministry to help people like Chris lift themselves and their communities out of poverty and exploitation. We hope to raise $35,000 to support new outreaches in Kenya and are already part of the way towards our goal. Thank you! Ruth has eight children. Because she went through the NewVines training, her business now allows her to provide for all of them and support her local church through tithing. Hear her story by watching the video.
Carolyn says her NewVines training changed how she ran her business, leading to an increase in sales and a higher quality of life for her and her children.
Watch this video to hear how Pamela's life changed after she completed the NewVines training.
Grace is a farmer who makes a living selling onions, maize, and sorghum. After receiving a grant from NVI, she used the funds to purchase seeds for her farm and lease an extra parcel of land to expand her farming area. She was also able to employ laborers to help her with the growth of her business which, in turn, changed the lives of those families as well. What an amazing testimony to how successful businesses are made and continue to grow!
James turned his life around through the ministry of Teen Challenge and training from NewVines International. Watch the video to hear his story of transformation.
Mary began taking NewVines classes in late 2020 and learned how to manage her business money and reinvest in her business. In April of 2021, Mary received a COVID Relief Grant from NVI and used the funds to expand her mix of products, buying rice, salad oil and other new products. This has really changed her business – she is now able to reliably provide valuable products to her customers and they have come to depend on her for important household items. During our interview with Mary, I asked how her life and the life of her children have been changed. Mary thanked God that now she could pay her children’s school fees and, even more important, pay for food for her children every day. She is grateful to God for the practical training that has helped improve her life in so many ways.
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