Education South Africa Project #40136

Empower Women through the Self Help Group Approach

by Thusanang Trust

Summary

This project helps rural women to realise their potential as individuals through a savings and loans system. There are 105 groups of up to 20 women of various ages. There are over 1920 direct beneficiaries whose lifestyle has been improved and 6780 indirect beneficiaries. Members borrow money to start their own businesses. 7 Community Facilitators visit each group to conduct financial auditing and give advice. Funds are needed to cover their transport costs, stipends, project management.

$11,333
total goal

$3,697
remaining

53
donors

2
monthly donors

3
years

Challenge

Unemployed rural women do not have a voice in their community. Their opinions are largely disregarded by the tribal authorities. Their lifestyle is simple and there is no money for anything other than basic essentials. They work hard and spend a lot of time collecting water, preparing meals on a fire outside, keeping house and clothes clean. They are largely living off a social grant with little opportunity for employment.

Solution

SHGs allow them to save money and borrow it from the group so that they can improve their lifestyle and build self reliance. Some borrow money to buy water tanks, gas stoves or add rooms to their houses. Some start their own small income generating activities borrowing money from the groups. For the groups to function well the CFs have to visit them regularly to conduct financial auditing and give advice and support. By supporting one another in the group, they have a voice in the community.

Long-Term Impact

To empower individual women to take control over their lives and develop self reliance. To build capacity and increase the self-confidence of individual women in the group. Increase individual household income and savings. To increase the ability to care for and meet the basic needs of their children and grandchildren. To help women realise their potential as individuals through a savings and loans system whereby group members save from their own meagre resources and administer their own fund.