She now earns 20 times more, thanks to her local church!
Thanks to Tearfund’s Village Savings groups, Kanini was able to start her own business — and it’s thriving!
What price would you put on the ability to live securely?
For many families in rural Africa, “security” remains an elusive dream. In Southern Kenya, daily survival often hinges on unstable incomes and unpredictable meals. For single mothers like Kanini, the struggle is even more profound. She used to work long, gruelling days — up to 12 hours at a time — only to return home with just a few cents. As the sole breadwinner for her family, Kanini survived on roughly two dollars a week, barely enough to feed her children, let alone afford school fees.
Village savings groups are an effective way of helping families escape extreme poverty. These groups, made up of 20 to 30 people, allow members to pool their savings and create a collective fund. Every week, members contribute small amounts, and from these contributions, loans are offered to those who need them. These loans are used to start new businesses, invest in land, or manage emergencies. Members repay their loans with interest, and at the end of the year, the profits are distributed based on how much each person saved.
Kanini decided to join one of these groups, contributing what little she could each week. After a short time, she had saved enough to take out a loan and start a small shop! As she dedicated herself to her growing food and supplies business, her income steadily increased. Through this group, Kanini is now able to not only provide food for her family, but send her children to school.
Kanini’s life has been transformed. She no longer lives in desperation, scraping by each day. Instead, she now runs her own small business — and she earns more than 20 times what she once did, thanks to the local church!
Village savings groups are essential to helping families escape the cycle of poverty. Unlike traditional financial institutions, these groups are community-based and focus on the well-being of everyone involved. Members trust one another, knowing that their shared contributions can uplift the entire group. With Tearfund’s support and partnerships with local churches, these groups offer a holistic approach to breaking the chains of poverty. They focus on economic empowerment as well as spiritual growth, with many groups combining their activities with prayer and Bible study. This partnership between faith and financial support creates lasting change, allowing families to experience life in all its fullness.
Today, Kanini has broken free from poverty, but many women across Kenya continue to face the same struggles she once did. These women dream of a better future for their families but lack the resources and opportunities to make it happen. Through Village savings groups, Tearfund helps empower women like Kanini to lift their families out of poverty and transform their lives forever.
Through your support, more families can escape the grip of poverty and experience a brighter, more hopeful future — both physically and spiritually.
