This blog post was written by Grace Cooney, our Fundraising & Communications Assistant.
Elimu, a Savings Group Facilitator, at her farm.
In September, I had the privilege of taking my first trip to Africa and I was excited to finally meet our partners from Mothers’ Union Tanzania and members of Savings Groups in person.
I was fortunate to meet five Savings Groups who were all at different parts of their journeys. Some Groups had been formed recently while others had been operating for years. Greeted by passionate singing and dancing upon arrival, the energy was infectious and soon enough we were all dancing together. Not only were all the Groups incredibly welcoming, but what really stuck with me was their joy, happiness, and love for one another. The theme that came up in each and every Group: community.
It was an honour to spend my time with members, hearing their stories and learning about their challenges. It was interesting to hear their individual interests for joining the Savings Groups and see the businesses they had built for themselves. The members were mostly women, and the sense of community that the Groups have for each other, was not only shown through personal projects, but also through Group endeavours.
One member, Jamila, from the St Yakobo Group told us: ‘When I moved to the area, I was filled with fear. Now I am happy to sit with my Group and have peace and enjoy our activities together.”
It was amazing to see the variety of Group members’ businesses and assets. I got to see members’ farms, motorbikes, stove-making businesses, and meet their livestock. Many of the Groups often also had Group income generating activities that they shared, such as sharing pigs, tie-dying fabrics, having cashew–nut farms, and charcoal projects. With the profits, members told me they were able to invest in their individual lives such as constructing homes for themselves, providing basic needs for their family, and sending their children to school, but they also contributed more broadly to their community and their church, together. One of the Mwiti Group’s goals was for every member/family to have their own pig.
Elimu, the facilitator of ‘The Amani Group’ told us: “Before being a facilitator I did not have confidence, but now I am able to stand in front of people and teach others. I have a goat and a calf - eventually, I want to be able to sell the milk. I have 4 of my own children and I am taking care of 4 orphans (in-law’s childrens). I give my time to serve the community, supporting others with my income as well. My husband is very happy I am part of the Group.”
Although some Groups and individual members faced challenges, they continued to work together and support each other. Many of the women I spoke to were kind enough to share how learning new skills and their Groups have helped them gain hope, trust and confidence.
Mua from the Kupendane Savings Group shared: “When I had a medical emergency in the night, I was able to go to the village leader to get money from the social fund to go to get care.”
Throughout the entirety of the trip and upon reflection, I still continue to feel gratitude for the incredible privilege I was given to visit and talk to so many kind inspiring Group members.
The care Jamila, Elimu and Mua had for other women in their Groups and communities was inspiring to see and the changes many women and men are making in their lives were evident for themselves, their families, and their communities.