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The morning air around Davilla’s home is often thick with the scent of baking. Her days usually begin with the same vital task: baking small cakes to sell from her home.
These cakes represent a fragile lifeline for her family. If the cakes don’t sell before they go off, the loss is felt deeply. On the hardest days, however, they at least ensure her two children have something to eat.
In the Central African Republic (CAR), where 70% of people live in extreme poverty, many are just one crisis away from losing everything. For Davilla, crisis arrived when her husband, a builder and driver, had an accident. Now out of work, the responsibility of providing has shifted primarily onto her.
‘My main problem is not having enough money,’ Davilla explains. ‘I don’t have enough to support my family. My mum and brother rely on me.’
The burden grew heavier when Davilla’s son fell ill and her sister became seriously sick. Davilla became her sister’s carer, pouring every spare penny into medical care. Despite her efforts, tragically her sister passed away. Even through grief and financial difficulty, she refused to give up.
The kindness of a teacher
Davilla’s struggle was compounded by a lack of education – a reality for three out of four women in CAR. As a child, she was forced to drop out of primary school to help with housework. ‘I often think that because I didn’t go to school, I missed out on many opportunities,’ she says.
But Davilla is rewriting her story. Under the guidance of Esther, who leads a Tearfund training centre, Davilla has found a supportive community.
Through the guidance of Esther and many others in the community, Davilla found the strength to keep going. Esther didn’t just teach her skills – she offered the encouragement and spiritual support she needed.
‘Being in this group helps me a lot,’ says Davilla. ‘God’s word, that’s preached there, and the advice given really strengthens me.’
Now, Davilla is finally learning to read, write and count – skills that she says are ‘really important when you have a small business.’ She has also learned to knit baby clothes, providing a small but vital extra income for her family.
Faith like Job
When the debts or the family’s needs feel overwhelming, Davilla finds her anchor in the Bible. She identifies with the resilience of Job.
‘In times of trouble, even if we lose everything like Job, let’s remember that God is with us,’ she says. ‘He lost everything but never lost faith. When I think about my troubles, they seem minor compared to Job… As long as we’re alive and healthy, and with God, we’ll get through these challenges.’
Davilla is looking to the future with faith. She dreams of her children completing their studies so they can stand on their own two feet.
‘My life won’t end up like this,’ she says. ‘I’ll do it with all my heart, and I won’t let anything get me down. As long as we’re with God, we’ll get through.’
You can help equip women like Davilla to bring transformation in their homes and communities. Find out how at tearfund.org.
