Zenanesh Asnakew is a 40-year-old single mother of two from the Fogera District in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia. She is the sole earner in her family, supporting her two children and parents. She engages in small trading activities, selling snacks and local drinks, and farms her small plot of land to support her family. For the past two years, Zenanesh has been a member of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) with 20 members, supported by CARE. The VSLA’s name is ‘Tigist,’ meaning patience. Zenanesh shares her experience going through multiple crises – COVID-19, flood, and conflict, and how a loan from her savings group enabled her to support her business.
The Sanchay Sathi mobile application represents a significant advancement in the digital empowerment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Bangladesh. Focused on the challenging environments of the char and haor regions, the app supports over 2000 VSLA groups, aiding in financial inclusion and economic enhancement through digital record-keeping and management. Read More
This brief discusses the Commonlands initiative in Uganda, which aims to modernize land rights and financial accessibility for rural communities. By leveraging digital tools and community-based verification systems, the program seeks to enhance land security and provide access to credit, empowering marginalized groups, particularly women. Read More
This brief highlights CARE Sierra Leone's partnership with MiKashBoks to enhance the efficiency and security of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) through digital tools. The initiative focuses on improving financial management, digital literacy, and secure transactions, particularly benefiting women in rural communities by transitioning from manual to digital financial practices. Read More