Transformative Empowerment: Serah Nyirenda's Journey with Ulalo's SAVINGS FOR EMPOWERMENT
Pic. Serah Nyirenda: From House wife to Entrepreneurial Trailblazer.
Ulalo's Savings for Empowerment Groups in Rumphi district, has empowered 80 women at Bale Village Development Area.
Serah Nyirenda, a 47-year-old beneficiary of the project from Bale, Tradition Authority Mwahenga, stands as a testament to its success.
Reflecting on her journey, Serah shares, “Joining the group in 2020 was a turning point for me. I was among the first women to embrace this opportunity, at first I borrowed K2000 Kwacha now I get close to K400,000 and I've learned invaluable skills ever since.”
Prior to joining, Serah, like many, was solely a housewife with no entrepreneurial aspirations.
With the guidance and support of the group, Serah ventured into farming as a business, growing maize, beans and tobacco which has not only provided their daily food but has also supported the education of their four children, with two already completing college.
Serah's entrepreneurial ambitions soared, but financial limitations hindered her dreams. “I always wanted to start my own business,” she reflects. “Thanks to the group's assistance, I accessed a small loan from the group to expand our farming endeavours.”
Today, her thriving business not only supports her family but also generates employment opportunities for others while supplying crops to local markets.
Emphasizing the importance of independence, Serah Added: “For a woman to be independent, it's essential to work hand in hand with the family.”
Serah's journey exemplifies the transformative impact of Ulalo's Savings for Empowerment Groups, empowering women to realize their aspirations and contribute to community development.
Serah and 98 other women from Bale village in Traditional Authority Mwankhunikira are part of 7 Savings for Empowerment Groups that have been setup by Ulalo. The initiative aims to improve the house holds income and political participation of women using the Self-Help Group Approach.