Jane has improved her business and her family’s life since joining THRIVEGulu’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program.
Before joining the VSLA, Jane had never participated in any community groups, had not followed a regular savings plan, and never had an opportunity to generate her own income.
Jane is married, a mother of three children, and her husband had always been the main source of financial support in the family by paying for food, clothing, health care, schooling and other expenses. However, a couple years ago, he lost his job and was no longer able to provide the same kind of support. Jane became responsible for figuring out how to provide for her family.
Her husband hadn’t been saving anything and life became very difficult for the family. Jane had heard about savings groups, and thought it might help her situation. She joined one of THRIVEGulu’s groups, “God’s Mercy”. Jane and the 27 other women in the group received training by THRIVEGulu on how to run a VSLA, as well as other business, finance, and entrepreneurship skills.
“My whole life has completely turned upside down since joining the VSLA. I don’t beg from my neighbors and friends for money to cover our household expenses anymore, instead sometimes they are the one in need of my support,” says Jane.
“Last year, I took a loan of 200,000 shillings [about $60] to expand my business, which allowed me to sell greens, tomatoes and fried cassava. I was successful enough to repay my entire loan within six months. My dream is to open a bigger store where I will sell other products, not just vegetables, and also employ others to work in my store.”
Jane told us she is vJane becomes her family’s main providerery happy and proud that today she could support her husband and her family, which she never believed she would be able to do. She concluded by saying, “I’m so much more free and independent since I joined the VSLA. My family now knows they can depend on me.”
