Empowering the Poor, Inc. (ETP) is a Fredericksburg, Virginia-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a regional office in Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire in the western region of Africa.

Our mission is to empower poor communities to self-reliance with dignity in the United States and sub-Saharan Africa through culturally tailored and integrated educational, healthcare, and microfinance programs.

Our Vision

We seek to engage in local and global poverty alleviation efforts, empowering the poor to self-reliance from Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States, to Tonhon, Côte d’Ivoire, Africa. Using a bottom to top paradigm and working directly with the poor, ETP aims to teach the poor how to fish rather than feeding them for one day, empowering them to become self-reliant, and lead sustainable lives. ETP envisions a world where those who are blessed with talents, skills, financial, and technical assets become a blessing to the poor, equipping them with the tools and resources to break the vicious trap of poverty.

Our Programs

Inspired and guided by the popular adage "Give a fish to man and he will eat for a day, but teach him how to fish, and he will eat for the rest of his life." Our programs aims to empower the poor to self-reliance with dignity, equipping them with the tools to break themselves the vicious cycle of poverty. All projects research-based, integrated and tailored to the specific needs of the communities we serve.

Education
Provide children, youth and adult literacy classes. Enhance the academic performance and leadership skills of students with a focus on girls.

Healthcare
Provide primary and preventative healthcare services to poor and rural communities through ETP-Village clinics and training of local men and women as community health agents.

Microfinance
Providing poor women with micro loans associated with general, health, and financial literacy classes to start and maintain a small business.