When I think about the work we do through Touch of Love International, one of the most remarkable things is how a simple act of giving can ripple outward and transform lives in ways we could never fully imagine. It began with the recognition that families living in poverty often have the skills, determination, and dreams to build better lives, but lack the resources to take that first step. A small loan, carefully placed, can be the spark that lights a fire of hope and action, empowering people to create opportunities not only for themselves but for everyone around them.
The Birth of an Idea
The idea for TOLI’s micro-loan program emerged after I returned to my home country of Egypt and witnessed the struggles of people living in villages far from the comforts many of us take for granted. Families worked tirelessly but could barely make ends meet, children faced uncertain futures, and communities seemed trapped in cycles of poverty. I realized that what they needed was not just temporary assistance, but tools and resources that could give them the power to change their circumstances from within, to build something sustainable that would last for generations.
With prayer, guidance, and the support of my wife, we launched our first micro-loan initiative in 2006 in the village of El Kom el Akhdar through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Egypt. We began with a small number of loans, each carefully given to someone with a plan and a vision for their future. What I saw next was extraordinary. Families who had once been struggling to survive began creating small businesses, paying for their children’s education, and contributing back to their communities in ways that I could never have predicted.
How a Small Loan Makes a Big Difference
A micro-loan may seem small to an outsider, but for the recipient, it represents opportunity, dignity, and hope. A loan of a few hundred dollars might allow a woman to buy supplies to start a small sewing business, a father to purchase materials for a carpentry shop, or a farmer to expand a small plot of land. These businesses generate income, provide stability, and restore a sense of pride and self-sufficiency that cannot be measured in dollars alone.
What makes this model so powerful is that it creates a cycle of giving. As loans are repaid, the money is reinvested into new businesses, creating a chain reaction of opportunity. This is not charity that ends with a handout; it is investment in human potential, in the belief that people can and will rise when given the chance and the tools to do so. Over time, entire villages are transformed, not just economically but socially and emotionally, as families gain confidence, children dream bigger, and communities grow stronger together.
Faith and Vision in Every Step
As an elder in my ministry, I have learned that no project of lasting impact is built without faith and vision. Each micro-loan is guided by prayer, discernment, and the understanding that we are stewards of not only the resources we provide but also the lives we touch. Every family we work with, every loan we give, is an opportunity to witness God’s love in action and to affirm the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. My wife has been a constant companion in this work, reminding me that the success of these programs depends not only on planning and execution but on love, patience, and the belief that what we do together can truly change lives.
Seeing Lives Transformed
Over the years, TOLI’s micro-loan program has expanded beyond Egypt into countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, reaching countless families and communities. I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how small loans have sparked new businesses, fed children, allowed parents to send their daughters and sons to school, and inspired entire communities to believe in a brighter future. Each success story, no matter how small it may seem, is a testament to the idea that with hope, support, and opportunity, people can create lasting change.
It is impossible to overstate the joy that comes from seeing someone step into a new chapter of life, empowered to take responsibility for their own future, while knowing that the investment we made together has helped make it possible. These stories remind me daily why leaving a career to dedicate myself fully to this work was the right decision and why the mission of TOLI continues to grow with every passing year.
A Message of Encouragement
If there is one thing I hope readers take from the story of TOLI’s micro-loans, it is that small, thoughtful actions can have monumental impact. You do not need vast resources to make a difference. What you need is a heart willing to serve, eyes ready to see potential where others see only difficulty, and the faith to believe that change is possible. With God’s guidance, a supportive community, and dedication to service, even the smallest investment can ignite hope and set lives in motion toward a future filled with opportunity, dignity, and purpose.
From hope to action, this is the principle that guides TOLI. Every micro-loan carries not just financial support, but belief, encouragement, and the affirmation that every individual has the capacity to create lasting change. As we continue to expand this work across the world, I am reminded that service, faith, and love are the foundations on which real transformation is built, and that with each small loan, we are giving more than money- we are giving hope, opportunity, and a path toward a brighter tomorrow.
Learn more about Touch of Love International’s mission and values at https://toli.org/mission-values.