This blog post was written by Megan Henderson, our Senior Communications & Events Officer, with information gathered by Anne Figge from our Global Programmes Team.
Akifa with her employees.
Akifa is a widow and mother of three children living in South Sudan. When she first joined her Savings Groups the members each contributed 100 SSP ($0.30) per week to the savings pot. In the beginning it was incredibly difficult and 100 SSP felt like a huge amount to Akifa and the other members, but as they started business skills training they began identifying resources and opportunities within their community.
A year later Akifa and her group were surprised when they shared out the savings pot and each member received 9,000 SSP (nearly $30). This was a huge change for them given where they started! Consequently, theGroup decided to increase the savings from 100 SSP per week to 1,000 SSP per month! Akifa was able to take a loan for 5,000 SSP, and she bought things for making and selling groundnut paste and mandazi (local donuts)—which she sold under the tree. Using her savings and the business skills training from our partner, World Concern, she added other food items to her business, like porridge, and tea. Akifa’s life was changing. She began to believe that her dream of starting a restaurant could be a reality - but then tragedy struck.
“My Group is the one who came running and went into my burning house with me to rescue my things. They also provided me with an emergency loan which helped me to rebuild my house and start over.”
Akifa cooking in her restaurant.
Out of all the benefits of her Savings Group, Akifa shares that the relationship and love that the members have for one another is the most life changing aspect of being part of a Savings Group. After her home burned down, she was able to rebuild and keep moving forward with support from her Group.
Now, a year from her initial loan of 5,000 SSP, and following the house fire, Akifa was able to borrow 10,000 SSP from her Savings Group. She has used it to build a simple, woven grass structure to house her restaurant. She has a basic stove where she cooks rice, beans, soup, local spinach and maize porridge. Akifa makes a profit of 1,500 SSP ($3.50) each day! Now, she employs a night guard and two women who help her cook and manage the restaurant.
The profits Akifa makes at her restaurant are enabling her to pay school fees for her three children. Now, if her children are sick, Akifa can take them to the hospital. Her business and Savings Group have brought her peace of mind because she is now better able to care for her children.