SHG is our Saviour – Kestina’s Story

Kestina showing the rice that she sells.

Kestina Mhango runs a small business selling rice through which she is able to support her family.

After leaving school at 20 years and having her first child at the age of 21, providing for her family is something Kestina has struggled with. Life was unbearable as with her husband they relied on subsistence farming as means of livelihood for their family.

Following the introduction of building a “sustainable and empowered peoples institution through SHGA project“ in Kestina’s community which uses the Self-Help Group approach with support from Kindernothilfe coupled with her desire to improve the standard of living for both her and her family, Kestina signed-up with Takhumba Self-Help Group. Through encouragement from friends as well as training in small scale business she received from our Project Officer, she got her first loan of MK2,000 from the Self-Help Group and invested in buying and selling vegetables.

Since receiving her first loan and repayments, she grew her borrowing power and after some weeks she borrowed K10,000 and invested in Rice selling business. Kestinas’ business has expanded significantly, and she currently orders more rice every week and makes around MK5,000 per week.

She is now able to support her household with the required needs including school needs of her children such as uniforms and books.

“I am grateful for joining SHG as I am now able to support my family and am looking forward to expanding my business further. The SHG approach is indeed our savior”

Said Kestina Mhango – Member of Takhumba Self Help Group.

Kestina and her fellow members of Takhumba continue to receive recurring support from our Project Officer to help ensure what they plan ahead and understand the importance of saving for the future.

The Building a sustainable and empowered people’s institution through self-help group approach Project, is a six years action with the overall aim of Improving the household Income and political participation of 4200 SHG Women in Tradition Authority Mwankhunikira In Rumphi District.