On this year’s International Day of Rural Women, we celebrated not just the resilience but the unstoppable potential of women in the Muchatha community. Through our Imarisha Wake program, we gathered with local women to discuss one powerful tool for their empowerment: financial literacy through table banking and chamas. These grassroots financial systems are more than just economic tools—they are lifelines for women who are striving for financial independence.

Stories of Transformation

The energy in the room was palpable as our guest speaker, Jennifer, a successful businesswoman, shared her journey. She didn’t just speak about financial literacy in abstract terms; she brought it home to the women by sharing how chamas had personally changed her life. Jennifer’s own experiences with table banking showed how access to small, low-interest loans allowed her to grow her business from the ground up, ultimately providing her with the independence to support her family and community.

She challenged the women to think beyond the immediate benefits of joining a chama and to reflect deeply on their goals and intentions:

“Ask yourself, why do you want to join a chama? How will it benefit you? Are you aligning your goals with those of the group, or is this just a short-term fix? Your choices will determine your path to success.”

These thought-provoking questions sparked meaningful conversations among the participants. Many women shared their dreams of growing their businesses, educating their children, and giving back to their community.

Tackling Challenges: The Need for Structure

As inspiring as the session was, it wasn’t without the reality check. One participant bravely shared her story of falling victim to chama fraud, where a group member absconded with their collective savings. This opened up an important dialogue about the risks involved and how women can protect themselves from such pitfalls.

Jennifer emphasized the importance of having official structures in place within these groups—clear rules, accountability systems, and transparent decision-making processes. By establishing strong governance, these financial groups can serve as safe and reliable means for women to support each other’s growth without fear of losing their hard-earned savings.

Why This Matters

For the women of Muchatha, table banking and chamas are not just financial systems. They are vehicles of hope—the bridge between poverty and prosperity. Each small loan, every meeting, and all the shared advice are steps toward greater independence, not just for individual women, but for the entire community.

This session was not just a discussion; it was a reminder that when women succeed, communities thrive. The ripple effects of empowering one woman can change the future for an entire generation. As these women continue to engage in table banking, they are rewriting their stories, moving from a place of dependency to one of leadership, independence, and influence.

How You Can Help

Our mission doesn’t end here. At Wake na Vijana, we believe in the potential of every woman and youth we work with. But we can’t do it alone. You can be part of this journey by supporting us in any way you can.

• Donate: Your monetary contributions go a long way in helping us continue offering these life-changing programs.

• In-kind donations: Items like sanitary towels make a huge difference in the lives of rural women and girls.

• Volunteer: Mentor a young woman or share your expertise to help grow small businesses within these communities.