WE ARE EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
WHEN POOR PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND SKILLS, THEY CAN LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY
The economic development program provides training for vulnerable communities so they can lift themselves out of poverty and be able to sustain their families . Generally, the program focus on women and girls who have been affected by gender-based violence and other forms of social injustice. Poor and less educated people feel uneligible and intimidated by the formal and complicated procedures at banks when it comes to loan requests. When we introduced VSLAs in the community, most of these issues were addressed by offering financial services with low or no overhead costs.
We teach beneficiaries how to start income generation activities by opening up small businesses and commercialising their farming, they are now able to contribute to household improvements by acquiring assets like furniture, bicycles, poultry and livestock, etc..
Village Saving and Loan Association
VSLAs have proven to be very effective in speeding up growth and building local capacity in rural areas. VSLA members have access to highly responsive and safe financial services, and this enables them to improve household health and welfare, acquire business skills, educate their children, and improve the quality of their social lives.
Vocational training
We just tackling unemployment and strengthening vocational training education in the villages. For instance, when Dreaming for Change was implementing construction projects, low-skilled workers were trained in masonry and painting. The training has been enabling them to secure local jobs instead of relocating to cities in search of employment.
Our Economic Development Program Impact
125 Rural Women
trained in VSLA model and how to start an income generation activity.
5 Women-led associations
created and officially-registered.Each association has at least 25 members.