An Inclusive Program Fosters Flourishing
An Inclusive Program Fosters Flourishing
Brenda N’guni is visually impaired, but she did not let this dampen her entrepreneurial spirit. She started knitting doormats to generate income. Unfortunately, Brenda did not earn enough to meet her basic needs and she had to depend on others to provide her with the supplies for her business. She began to feel the embers of hopelessness ignite.
But Brenda’s life started to change in 2022 when she joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in her community in Zambia, through World Renew’s local partner, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). Through membership in the VSLA, Brenda learned to set aside savings and she had the opportunity to train on how to run a small business. As Brenda and the other members of the VSLA met to pool their savings, the savings pool grew, and soon the members were able to access low-interest loans from the pool.
Brenda borrowed ZMW 800 (29.70 USD) and bought startup materials for her knit doormat business. All the materials she needed were available locally, so Brenda knit as many doormats as she could, sold all of them, and was able to pay back her loan and even save some money. She was able to start supplying her own daily needs, and she even bought some land.
After experiencing this success, Brenda decided to borrow more money which she used to purchase white maize. So far, she has bought 15 bags of grain at 110 pounds each. She plans to sell the grain during the “hunger months” of the rainy season—the time of year between planting and harvest when families who rely on subsistence farming find that their food has run out. Brenda thinks she can make a good profit of about ZMW3500 (129.95 USD).
Before joining the VSLA, Brenda had tried to borrow money from a local microfinance institution. She tells us, “Previously, I attempted to acquire a loan . . . they turned me down, claiming they are not confident that the person with disabilities will pay back the loan.” Brenda says she is so thankful to CCAP Relief and Development for the VSLA program, which is inclusive regardless of a person’s religious affiliation or physical condition.
Brenda N’guni is visually impaired, but she did not let this dampen her entrepreneurial spirit. She started knitting doormats to generate income. Unfortunately, Brenda did not earn enough to meet her basic needs and she had to depend on others to provide her with the supplies for her business. She began to feel the embers of hopelessness ignite.
But Brenda’s life started to change in 2022 when she joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in her community in Zambia, through World Renew’s local partner, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). Through membership in the VSLA, Brenda learned to set aside savings and she had the opportunity to train on how to run a small business. As Brenda and the other members of the VSLA met to pool their savings, the savings pool grew, and soon the members were able to access low-interest loans from the pool.
Brenda borrowed ZMW 800 (29.70 USD) and bought startup materials for her knit doormat business. All the materials she needed were available locally, so Brenda knit as many doormats as she could, sold all of them, and was able to pay back her loan and even save some money. She was able to start supplying her own daily needs, and she even bought some land.
After experiencing this success, Brenda decided to borrow more money which she used to purchase white maize. So far, she has bought 15 bags of grain at 110 pounds each. She plans to sell the grain during the “hunger months” of the rainy season—the time of year between planting and harvest when families who rely on subsistence farming find that their food has run out. Brenda thinks she can make a good profit of about ZMW3500 (129.95 USD).
Before joining the VSLA, Brenda had tried to borrow money from a local microfinance institution. She tells us, “Previously, I attempted to acquire a loan . . . they turned me down, claiming they are not confident that the person with disabilities will pay back the loan.” Brenda says she is so thankful to CCAP Relief and Development for the VSLA program, which is inclusive regardless of a person’s religious affiliation or physical condition.
