In the Tahoua Region of Niger, a story of resilience and empowerment unfolds. 50-year-old Mariama Ali is the Secretary General of her Village Savings & Loan Association, named ‘Niya da Kokari’, meaning commitment and courage. She is a mother of four and an entrepreneur, selling spices and vegetables. Her savings group, established two years ago, has 25 members. Mariama shares insights into the profound social bond cultivated within the group over the past two years, emphasizing the depth of their connections that extend far beyond financial transactions. Despite the effort and resilience of her VSLA group, water scarcity and inflation are affecting their livelihoods. Available in English and French.
The Sanchay Sathi mobile application represents a significant advancement in the digital empowerment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Bangladesh. Focused on the challenging environments of the char and haor regions, the app supports over 2000 VSLA groups, aiding in financial inclusion and economic enhancement through digital record-keeping and management. Read More
This brief discusses the Commonlands initiative in Uganda, which aims to modernize land rights and financial accessibility for rural communities. By leveraging digital tools and community-based verification systems, the program seeks to enhance land security and provide access to credit, empowering marginalized groups, particularly women. Read More
This brief highlights CARE Sierra Leone's partnership with MiKashBoks to enhance the efficiency and security of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) through digital tools. The initiative focuses on improving financial management, digital literacy, and secure transactions, particularly benefiting women in rural communities by transitioning from manual to digital financial practices. Read More