Empower Women through the Self Help Group Approach

The highlight of 2022 for members of the Self Help Groups was the Learning and Sharing Events held on 1 & 2 December at the Thušanang Centre. About 80 people attended the event on each day. One or two representatives from each SHG attended. The guest speaker was Rob Tooley (ex MEC for Finance in Limpopo Province from 1994-2010). He spoke to the ladies about the importance of emotional support in an SHG, about having a vision (or some goals) for your life, and the importance of starting a small business in your community if you want to improve your standard of living. He also emphasised the role of small businesses in keeping money in the community. One of the Thušanang staff then spoke about breaking the cycle of Gender Based Violence and the Community Facilitators performed a play on a possible scenario at an SHG meeting. The final item on the agenda was breaking into small groups for discussions on successes and challenges in different groups. Some members found it helpful to share their experiences on gender based violence within the small group, and were then able to encourage and advise one another. Lunch was served in the courtyard at the end of the event. These Learning and Sharing Events provide opportunities for ladies from different areas to form or renew friendships, sell their wares, and learn from the experiences of others. 

The exchange visit which members were organising at the time of writing my last report, was enjoyed by those who attended but unfortunately, because it was held only about 6 weeks before our year end functions at Thušanang,  many people could not afford the transport money to attend both events. We have learnt from this and have therefore decided to have only 1 exchange visit in 2023. This will be held at the end of June. We have already informed members of the groups about it, so they can start planning and decide how many group members will be able to attend. 

Since October 2021, the Community Facilitators have been able to start 8 new Self Help Groups. We are hoping to start at least another 20 new groups in 2023. However, we also realise the importance of strengthening and maintaining existing groups. We are therefore busy visiting all groups now to see how they are faring in the new year, and to give them support. At the end of a calender year, the group members usually share their cash on hand and the challenge is to get it all back in the new year. This often takes a month or two, but because they may not take a new loan if they have an outstanding one, there is an incentive to pay back the money as soon as possible.

Links:

• Help Rural Women Help Themselves