2006 - Stories of Women Who Have Received Loans from Power of Love

Esther Banda (Tingwilizane Group, Chainda) 

Esther is grateful that she qualified for Power of Love/Foundation For Women’s micro credit program. Ten years ago, her husband died from AIDS, leaving her impoverished, sick, and the sole caregiver of seven children. Since his death, she had been living in extreme poverty, unable to adequately feed and care for her children. Her eldest son had been contributing to the household needs as he could, but has had difficulty looking after his own family given the level of support his mother requires.

Recently, Esther had the courage to be tested and discovered that she is HIV positive. She also has a thyroid condition and is not strong enough yet to begin ARV treatment. But even in her weakened state, she has been able to greatly benefit from the POL/FFW micro credit program. Her group received a loan, and she started her own business, buying vegetables in bulk from the market and re-selling them in her community. Her group members go to the market together and they help Esther carry her goods home. She now runs a small katemba (grocery store) in front of her house, but the bulk of her revenue comes from door-to-door sales, for which she gets assistance from her two daughters. These efforts have lessened the burden on her son, who now only has to help periodically. Equally important, she has formed friendships with the other members of her group and found the program to offer a strong support system. She has found the experience to be a positive change in her life, and she says that she has learned the importance of female empowerment, friendship, and community.

Christine Mulenga (Tisungane Group, Matero)

Before joining Power of Love/Foundation For Women’s micro credit program, Christine was not destitute, but the program has enabled her to provide a considerably better life for herself and her family. She had been able to sustain a living, but she did not have sufficient capital to expand her business ventures. With the help of loans, Christine now has two businesses – a hair salon (which is her primary emphasis) and a popcorn machine, which operates on the street in front of her house. The success of her salon qualified her for a second loan, which allowed her to purchase a second hair dryer. She is now able to take in more clients, and her profits are growing. She has hired a part-time employee for assistance in the salon, and she is investing in the construction of a new building in front of her home which, when finished, will house the salon.

Christine also credits the POL/FFW program, and in particular a guest speaker brought to one of the weekly sessions, for giving her encouragement and lessons in entrepreneurship and money management. She has opened a savings account at a local bank and is earning interest on her profits. She has passed these lessons to her children, and her son has since opened a barbershop.

Hellen Tembo (Chimwemwe Group, Matero)

Since joining the Power of Love/Foundation For Women’s micro credit program, Hellen's standard of living has improved. Hellen runs a large katemba (grocery) in front of her house, and she has a second business renting out another house. She supports four of her own children as well as two orphans, and now can afford to send all the children to school.

Thanks to encouragement from lessons learned in the MTAC (Micro Finance Tools in the AIDS Care environment) program, Hellen also has opened up a savings account at the bank, but she is not currently saving much, instead choosing to reinvest most of her profits back in her business ventures. She has been able to buy a new refrigerator for her shop, which allows her to sell soft drinks. She is also now building another house to rent out. Hellen says that the members of her group support one another with problem solving for their various endeavors, discussing challenges, possible solutions, and implementation. Hellen manages her shop, with the help of her two sons who are in charge of selling the products. She says her main challenge is getting the boys to accurately record sales each day.

Sarah Mwanza (Twafwane Group, Matero)

Sarah had never owned a business prior to her MTAC loan. She now sells eggs from her own egg farm. Her business started with 48 chickens, and she now has 46. Her sales are thriving, and she has requested a larger loan in the next cycle to raise the number of chickens to 100.

She credits the management training she received from the Power of Love/Foundation For Women micro credit program. She says that her group has been extremely supportive. The members of her group often visit one another to check in and assist with any challenges each of their businesses may be facing. Sarah has also learned to do market research, which she says helped her learn how to start the chicken farm, and helped her determine what might be required to feed and care for additional chickens after her business expands.

Sarah’s husband has been extremely supportive of her entrepreneurial ambitions and has been an active participant in the business. He feeds the chickens and gives them medicine, allowing Sarah to sell the eggs. The couple, care for three of their own children, as well as two orphans. The success of the business has enabled them to send all five to school.

Project Team

Alka Subramanian, Project Director, San Diego, USA, alkapower@gmail.com

Felix Mwale, Project Coordinator, Lusaka, Zambia

Esther Shumba, Associate Trainer and Project Coordinator, Lusaka, Zambia