2021_ Litness Nyirongo, Malawi  

Caption

16-year-old Litness Nyirongo is from Chimpololo village, Mphwomwa, Malawi. She is in form three at school and lives with her parents and younger brother and sister. In 2018, Litness’ parents joined their Village Savings & Loan Association (VSLA), which has transformed their lives.

No School

Before her parents joined the VSLA, life was a struggle for the Nyirongo family.  Litness’ parents could not afford to send Litness and her siblings to school, there was not enough food and they were living in a grass thatched roof. “Our life was a bit challenging,” explains Litness.  “When my father found some money, he used it for alcohol. School fees were a big challenge, so I was just staying at home.” 

The Power of Saving

Since joining the VSLA, Litness’ parents have been able to save money with the group, which has enabled them to send the children to school.  They have also built a house with an iron roof and improved their crop production and livestock. Litness proudly adds: “School fees are no longer a challenge right now and we have a great harvest yield by the end of the year.”

Litness’ mother Rabecca adds: “My life has completely changed. Before, I was a poor person and initially found it hard to borrow from the VSLA as I was afraid I might not be able to pay it back.  Now, I am able to meet our needs and send my children to school.”

Women’s voice:

Litness is acutely aware of the challenges that women and girls face in having their voices heard, she explains: “Men saw women as unimportant and useless. They thought there’s nothing serious a woman or girl can tell them to help promote the development of the community. But this mindset can change with education and raising awareness that everything is possible.”

Through the VSLA, Litness’ parents have participated in household dialogue sessions, which are designed to improve relations between men and women, increase equal decision-making and increase women’s financial autonomy. “My parents have changed for the best since my mother and father are now making decisions together,” adds Litness.

Litness’ father Standwell is not afraid to admit that the training has been transformational, adding: “Before, our harvest was not enough to sustain us. Since taking part in the training my life has changed completely. I can see great improvements at home due to the bumper yields that we harvest at the end of the season.  This is because I am now budgeting together with my wife.”

Rabecca adds: “Previously, my husband was just taking me as someone who couldn’t contribute important ideas.  Now, we make decisions together as a family. For example, when we make a profit, we discuss how many bags of fertilizer we will buy.”

The Future:

While the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the family, especially with school and market closures and restricted VSLA meetings, their ambitions remain intact. Litness’ parents want to invest in cattle, buy a car, employ and support other people and, most importantly for Litness and her siblings, see their children go far with their education.

For Litness, she has plans of her own, concluding: “When I grow up, I want to be an independent person.  I want to be a teacher and support the education system in Malawi.”

Litness’ parents were supported by a Village Savings & Loan Association (VSLA) funded by CARE’s partnership with The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. This partnership is making transformational investmentsin CARE’s vision of deepening the impact and broadening the reach of VSLAs globally.