“I had no idea how to make a living, but now I know how to save money and reinvest it. I used to sell corn once a year; now it’s several times. We live a better life now. My children go to school; I have no more debt at the health center; visitors get to eat at my house; we have enough cooking oil and salt; and I don’t fight with my husband anymore when I want to buy a new dress. Thank you, CARE,” Jacqueline, a 40-year old mother of eight, explains. Celestine is the president of a group of 30 which benefits from CARE’s socio-economic program that advises members of poor communities on how to collectively save money and better invest it in small businesses.
Jacqueline’s group lives in Mulo, a rural village of 8,500 people right outside Lubero center in North Kivu. The group is mostly made up of women and they have gathered this morning to officially end the first one-year cycle of the group’s existence.
They sit in a circle on benches outside with the money they collectively saved presented in the open. “The money is safe; no one steals here,” the accountant tells the CARE staff that attends the meeting today. When they first came together as a group a year ago, some contributed 500 Congolese Francs (CF), which is around $50 cents, others up to 2,500 CF to a common pot. They continued with weekly contributions, which not only provided members with a savings mechanism, but allowed the group to provide members with small credits. With the interest paid, the group managed to accumulate a total of 1,341USD, which gets divided proportionally today. “In the beginning, it was difficult to trust that the money won’t get lost. But we all stuck to the agreement,” one member says. Most of the group’s members have invested in the production of a local alcoholic drink and the sale of palm oil and fish.
Through the project Pamoja, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CARE supports post-war communities in developing sustainable livelihoods. Jacqueline’s group benefits from what is called ‘village savings and loans associations,’ VSLA, which allow very poor communities or groups to save money and invest to start small businesses. Pamoja has already established 228 such groups in Lubero and is planning to create another 122.
“I am so happy where I am today. As soon as we conclude the meeting, I will go to the school to pay for my children’s fees. I don’t have much to say, but thank you so much,” Anastasia, 59 years old and mother of ten, intervenes.
“It’s the same for me,” Dieu Donné, a 31-year old father of four, confirms. “Since we’ve started, our lives changed. Our clothes are always clean because there is always soap.” Everyone agrees with a shout of ‘yes’ that they will continue with the group’s activities into the second cycle. Justin jumps up and says jokingly, “my wife pushes me every day to not drop out of the group and when I am travelling, she attends the meetings for me.” The group giggles as Justin retakes his seat.
This will help us change our lives
Also in Mulo, only about 500 meters away, the joy is similarly big. Through the project Ushindi, CARE works with seven vulnerable women, including survivors of sexual violence, to reintegrate into society and earn a living. As the CARE team arrives, the group is in the middle of a soap production—the first one since they have been trained in soapmaking a few days ago.
“This will change our lives. It helps us to make some money and the community will benefit from soap at the same time,” 25-year old and single mother Imakele says. It’s the first local soap production in Lubero and the group’s members are proud.
Ushindi, funded by USAID through consortium lead International Medical Assistance, provides training for income generating activities to survivors of sexual violence and other vulnerable members, which helps them to develop sustainable livelihoods and regain a respectable position in their communities.
“It’s a very good project. With the money I make, I am able to educate my six children,” Gavuo, 30 years old says.
“We have also learned how to make soap. I will use what I make to send my children to school, feed them, and buy medicines,” Gavuo, 40-year old mother of 12 affirms.
In addition to improving their lives, they will also be able to participate and pay their share in a village savings and loans association. The seven women agree that the group has not only trained them in soap making and given them an opportunity to make a better living, but they have also gained new hope for a better future, thanks to the solidarity and encouragement they have experienced in the group.
About CARE: Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience delivering emergency aid during times of crisis. Our emergency responses focus on the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly girls and women. Last year CARE worked in 84 countries and reached 122 million people around the world.