Microloans and Savings Groups
How the Women Empowered (WE) Program Uplifts the Community with Financial Literacy Programs for Women
Written by Malaika Butoyi, Storyteller
For Burundi Friends International
March 8th, 2021
On the heels of International Women’s Day, we would like to celebrate the launch of an expansion to the Women Empowered (WE) Project from Burundi Friends International. This program has grown from 12 savings groups in 2018 to 60 groups in 2019 (50% growth) with plans to add 128 more by March 2022. In partnership with Project Concern International (PCI), a Global Communities Partner, this next phase of growth will reach more than 3,000 new women and 160 men in Gitega province.
In 2019, Aline Kwizera wanted to improve her family’s quality of life in Gitega. When a friend invited her to join a WE savings group, her path became clear. She started a business making doughnuts with a microloan of 50,000bif (US$17.86) and began raising pigs.
Kwizera was able to save enough money to repay her loan and continue to invest in the savings group. She then purchased a goat and is steadily working towards a wholesale business with her 5-year plan.
WE savings groups not only improve lives for the families of women who participate in them. They benefit the entire community by creating a network of emerging leaders. In turn, these leaders actively seek out opportunities to uplift their communities.
When Burundian women have access to basic financial services like savings and loans, they are better able to take control of economic opportunities. These women also form a matrix of support within their groups. They work together on community service projects such as clearing roads, farming or caring for neighbors. In friendship, they identify the needs of their community and take action.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, let us applaud the participants and the launch of the WE II Expansion Project. When one woman rises, she turns to lift up another. Join the movement at bufri.org.
