A Lifeline for Vulnerable Children on the Brink

INTRODUCTION: In October 2026, ANDA conducted home visits to six beneficiary families participating in savings and revolving credit groups in the Manica district to observe their participation in the groups, how the funds distributed at the end of the cycle were used, and the investments made. The visits revealed that funds were used for equipment, home improvements, construction, small businesses, and education. Families visited  6; Amount saved by the 6 families    133,200.00 MT; Total amount received by the 6 families    245,900.00 MT and Families with identified commercial/income-generating activities 4.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND EVIDENCE
•    The six families collectively reported receiving 245,900.00 MT at the end of their respective cycles.
•    At least four families were identified as engaging in commercial or income-generating activities: selling vegetables and coconuts, running a grocery store, street vending of cell phone accessories, and selling tomatoes and greens.
•    Investments were observed in water supply, construction materials, housing improvements, and household goods.
•    An investment in the vocational training of a daughter, who completed a teacher training program, was documented.

RECOMMENDATIONS
•    Continue to encourage vulnerable families to join savings groups, with a focus on the participation of women and caregivers.
•    Monitor the identified small businesses and ensure the continuity of their operations.
•    Encourage families to set savings goals and develop simple plans for using the funds distributed at the end of each cycle.
•    Promote peer learning by using the experiences of long-standing members as examples of discipline and consistency.

CONCLUSION: The visits conducted in Manica show that savings and credit groups are an important mechanism for mobilizing resources and achieving family priorities. Among the six families visited, investments were identified in equipment, home improvements, construction, small businesses, and education, as well as examples of ongoing participation in the groups.
To consolidate these results, ANDA should strengthen post-distribution monitoring, training in financial and business management, and the systematic collection of indicators. In this way, it will be possible to demonstrate with greater precision not only the amounts saved and distributed, but also the sustainable economic changes achieved by the families and the program’s contribution to the well-being of children, adolescents, and caregivers.