Savings program boosts entrepreneurship and resilience among South Sudanese women

When Adhar Piny Pap, a 40-year old widow in Twic County, joined the savings group organized by World Vision, little did she know that it will open doors of opportunities for her. The Savings for Transformation program previously known as village savings and loan association (VSLA) was designed to provide resources for the vulnerable population by organizing and equipping savings groups to improve their business skills and learn new ways to earn income.

A snake had bitten Adhar while working at home that led to her left leg getting amputated. This incident was devastating but did not stop her from looking for opportunities to improve her family’s welfare. Even before she joined, Adhar has already demonstrated her enterprising spirit by cultivating a small farm where she grows vegetables for her family’s food needs and sells the rest for extra income. She does not have much choice but work hard to provide for her five children.

One day, a neighbor informed her that there was a gathering of community women every Saturday. She readily joined the group and just like the rest of the members, she started with a weekly contribution of 25 SSP (USD$8) in 2015. In 2017, the total amount in the women’s saving box generated 360,000 SSP (USD $1,200). This amount is always shared depending on the member’s contribution at the end of the cycle every six months.

The years 2016 and 2017 were difficult particularly for the people in Twic County. Harvest was delayed and widespread hunger was felt. Consequently, loan payments were also delayed but borrowing of money had increased. In the end, it was advantageous for the group as it earned them more income from the loans. They celebrated coming out of the difficulty realizing that something good can come out of the challenge. Together they were able to find a way.

In January 2015, when the European Union (EU)-funded project aimed at improving food and nutrition in Warrap State formed several groups, those who joined like Adhar were also trained on how to manage the weekly savings and business skills. After she had saved enough for two years, Adhar’s first investment was buying three sheep, one of which already gave birth. Adhar says, “Life was hard before I joined the group. I faced a lot of problems every time we need to go to the doctor.” Now, apart from her family being sufficient with health food coming out of her garden, she is able to buy her children’s school materials like books, pens and uniform. 

She is smart in making use of the money she borrows from the group for her business and pays her loan diligently. Adhar also earns extra from the interest generated from her loan. The best part for her is that she now sends her three school-age children to study after they stopped for a time for lack of money for school fees.

“We found the program very effective as it uses a community-based approach wherein the people give inputs and lead their own activities. This ensures ownership and sustainability and speeds up recovery process, which is very crucial in South Sudan’s situation. It is important that we instill resilience because it strengthens people’s coping skills and resourcefulness”, says Ntando Mlobane, World Vision’s NGO FSL Cluster Co-Coordinator.

She had worried a lot about her children’s future before the savings program came into her life. That has completely changed when she learned more skills and identified some opportunities she can do. World Vision’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Agiu Angelo Deng observed that Adhar is the kind of woman who does not easily give up despite her disability. “I often hear her advice her children to study hard and not be like her who cannot read and write. She has a very positive attitude”, Deng says.

The group’s success is on the strength of their relationship with each other. Their unity is very encouraging Deng has noted, adding, “This year, their harvest has considerably increased from last year’s.” At present, there are 1,750 people actively participating in the savings program for Twic County. World Vision’s project in Warrap State covers Tonj North, Twic, Gogrial West and Gogrial East targeting a total number of 7.000 households with 42,000 people.