Abiba, is a widow and mother of 3, from Supinho in Zambezia Province, Mozambique. She kindly shares her story in her own words.

“I joined Zalala Foundation’s savings group in 2013 soon after I lost my husband and my first child was born. It was very difficult time in my life because I was destitute and I had no means of supporting my daughter. At that time, I had to beg friends and neighbours to lend me money.

They encouraged me to join the Credit and Savings Group as a strategy for survival. I followed their advice in an effort to improve my situation. I sold some bags of rice that I had acquired for domestic consumption and, with the money gained, I started saving.

Before long, I was able to access some credit from the group and I began a small business selling coconuts. I also bought fish from the local fishermen and sold it making a small profit.

The Credit and Savings Group was like a springboard and from that point on, things got better and better.

For me, the group is not just a place for saving money, it is a space that has transformed my life and given me hope and confidence.

Our village is poor and we have faced many challenges, including cyclones and droughts resulting in loss of livelihoods and purchasing capacity, which seriously undermined the viability of our small businesses.

But despite that, we continue with the savings and credit groups knowing the potential advantages once the external conditions improve.

On a personal level, the savings and credit group has transformed my life and given me hope for a brighter future.”

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With your support we can help more people like Abiba to transform temporary cash into nutrition, health, and secure futures.