Self-help group a life changer for woman

AFTER having her eyes opened to the community-driven purpose behind Amangwe Village-affiliated self-help groups, Mam Anna Cele of Sokhulu in rural KwaMbonambi now has her membership of one such group to thank for the roof over her head.

Initially sceptical about the women- only groups, Mam Anna spent most of her 57 years at home, tending to the needs of her husband and their seven children.

With neither she nor her husband on government grants and her husband doing odd jobs to get by, Mam Anna realised the need for alternative financial means to build their own home.

After joining the Sibambene self- help group in Sokhulu, Mam Anna recently borrowed R5 500 and had their own rondavel built, complete with aluminium window frames.

‘I am so happy with my house, and that I could borrow the money to build it by contributing just R2, to my group each week,’ said Mam Anna.

The aim of Amangwe Village’s self- help group programme is to empower women and help them to better their own lives.

Members of each self-help group contribute an affordable R2 each week, adding to the kitty. When they have a certain amount in the kitty, group members decide amongst themselves who is most eligible to take a loan.

Members are encouraged to take loans to start respectable businesses or buy necessities, such as school uniforms and build houses, with the loans. Loans must then be paid back with 10% interest, helping to further grow the kitty.

There are now 190 self-help groups, which are helping more than 3000 rural women in our region.

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