The quiet no-hype Christian service of Jamaican Yvonne Patricia Thoroughgood was recently laid bare before the world. On Monday September 3, Yvonne appeared on the Today Show. The story in the media was a feature on KIVA, an internet based organization that facilitates women lending money to women entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Yvonne Thoroughgood, is a Christian (with Jamaica Baptist Union connections), wife, mother, midwife, donor, activist, and medical missioner. She is a woman of substance. Yvonne is a regular reader of this Blog, and those of you who are on Facebook have ‘seen’ Yvonne among my friends.
It was her outstanding contributions as a KIVA Lender that caught the attention of the media. Since she first discovered KIVA via the Internet, Yvonne has already made about 239 loans to mostly women in need of small business loans, loans for start ups, and other purposes. It only took a small start. In reality, she is making a difference in the lives of countless families across the world.
KIVA is for me an excellent example of women empowering women. I have seen the possibilities of assistance for poor women entrepreneurs right here in the province of Colon, Panama. I’m happy to know an expert who can guide me through this process. She is willing to help you too.
This Jamaican sister, who hails from Rock River, Jamaica, has a life story that reads like an inspirational novel. She speaks openly of her poverty-ridden childhood as one of 10 children. Her father died when she was 6 years old leaving her mother to raise them in rural Jamaica.
When she got the opportunity, Yvonne migrated England. and there pursued further studies. Today, she is a qualified midwife, which had always been a childhood dream. Her professional accomplishments and ongoing career development speak of her determination to follow her dream. Among the other things to accomplish, Yvonne is heading back to the ‘books’ this September to pursue her PhD in Health and Social Care. Go Yvonne!
But wait, I am not done yet!
Yvonne is the founder of Midwifery-India which is a voluntary organization that provides Midwifery and Obstetric care in India. She might not call herself that, but as a Medical Missioner, Yvonne travels to various countries to offer her services in midwifery and obstetrics to poor marginalized women. She has so far established 2 midwifery centers in India, and has plans for another in Rwanda, Africa.
Yvonne in India holding a hollering baby she delivered.
I share her story not only to ‘Big-Up’ [pay tribute to] Yvonne. My real motive is to use her story to inspire you, and especially Black disadvantaged women everywhere. Of course, (lurking about somewhere), I’m also encouraging you to donate to her causes. Give of your financial resources, professional services or any other way you can.
I’m proud of my Christian sister, (did I mention she has Baptist blood in her veins?). I did? Ok, good. Much more significant though, is that this woman is a servant of Christ. I laud the selfless efforts of Yvonne Patricia Thoroughgood and thank her family for being supportive of her work and ministry. Yvonne and her husband John Thoroughgood are the proud parents of 4 children. This busy wife and mom still makes time for others.
Husband John with daughter and sons
Yvonne Thoroughgood is proof for many who wish to do something but for one reason or another, you have not been able to get involved. You do not need to get one of those ‘calls’ accompanied by trumpet and angel visitations.. Start helping now. Hit the Bookmark button below, and share this story. Of course then we would also be changing the world as we ourselves are being changed.
Peace,
Marvia
A true hero no doubt. there is nothing more genuine than selfless deeds.
Wow! Truly inspirational, she has and is making a difference. Id like to ‘Big Her Up’ too and her, evidently, supportive family.
Bless
Dear Marvia. Thank you so much for featuring me in your blog. I am truly honoured, if not a little embarrassed to find my name ‘in lights!’ Mahatma Gandhi said that ‘Poverty is the worst form of violence’, and as such I believe it is our duty to take a step to end it, however small the step may be. Kiva.org is one of many ways we can change the world by give a loan of just $25 to someone in the developing world.
In a world where we have so much, but thousands of children die each day of curable diseases even those with the hardest hearts must melt and do something. I think it is easy for us to leave it to the politicians, and indeed blame them when we see hunger and disease on TV but we all have a part to play, every one of us, and if we don’t I cannot see how we can ever blame others. Mother Theresa said ‘It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish’. I pray for the day when I have show my children a history book for them know what ‘poverty is’. Pastor Milton Bailey from Rock River in Jamaica said to me once that if you pray for rain you better leave home with an umbrella. For me anyway, this was a calling for me to get off my ‘back side’ and do something about the things I know are not right in the world.
I am blessed to have been given the gift of being a midwife and try my best to use my skills to help others in poor regions of the world. I believe that every one of us has a skill and God calls us every day to use it. If we do or not is down to us, but it is their, just waiting to be used. OK, it may not be flying half way around the world, it may be just visiting the old or in need, helping the poor in our own districts or take the even easier option of putting our hand in our pockets and loaning someone $25, and loan which we have a great chance of being repaid, but we can all do something. It is said that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil could set off a storm in Texas, so one could never think that any act of kindness, however small, will not make a difference.
I am just a simple country girl from Lime Hall, Rock River, Jamaica. At school I was told I was just stupid and would always be that way. I was just passed by. It was only years later while studying to be a midwife that I was tested for, and found out that I was dyslexic. Being able to use the skills that God has given me has enabled me to make a change. Gandhi said ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’. I know we all want to make the world a better place; it just seems sometimes that the task is too tall. When I feel this way I remember that ‘To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world’.
Once again thank you for your words of love and support,
Yours in Christ
Yvonne x
Yvonne…May God continue to Bless and use you mightily. You are a woman of Valor, A MIGHTY woman of valor.
blessings on you and your family…
Dear Yvonne,
Hope this finds you well, i am extremely amazed to learn about the great work you do to help you fellow human kind. i would describe you as a woman blessed with a very big heart.
It's being a long time since i last saw or heard from you and John and i hope and believe that we can be intouch.
Kindly email me when you can and send my love to John and your family.
Elly Gathungu
ellygathungu@gmail.com
Hello Elly,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note for Yvonne. You should be hearing from her soon.
Take care!