By Phil Donnell | Funding Manager
Gladys Sekatana is a member of Ithabiseng SHG in Mpumalanga. Gladys had been selling snacks before joining her group; however, she was not making much profit. After joining the group and being trained in income-generation and small business development, she started taking note of the things that would sell well in her community.
During 2011 she took her first loan of R200 from the group and started adding new items to her stock. Her profits from her expanded business enabled her to buy a big window for her house and add another room in her house. Since then she has taken several more loans and repaid them all. She is now running her business from her home which includes canned fish, cool-drinks, long life milk, sweets and snacks.
Gladys says: “I am now able to pay for my kids’ school needs and can afford to make changes in my house. I am proud of being a member of the group. I have access to loans which help me with my business. My husband is also
supportive and proud of the benefits from the group, especially when he sees money coming into our home.”
Hundreds of other women in dozens of SHGs in South Africa have started or improved their own small business or
income-generating activity, just like Gladys, during 2011 due to the assistance of Sinamandla and its partners in local communities.
Many thanks to all our donors over 2011; we appreciate your support. Sinamandla has not reached its fundraising targets on GlobalGiving so please would you consider making another donation in 2012 in order to help Sinamandla assist up to 2 000 vulnerable women in poor communities? Please do think of any family member or friend who would be interested in the work of Sinamandla through its Self-help Groups and do forward them our website link.
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