How Savings for Transformation Changed Lembelani Tembo’s Approach to Money and Business
By Christabel Mundike, Communications, Zambia
Lembelani Tembo, a 41-year-old resident of the Nyimba district, is a member of the Blessings savings group and is an example of the impact that financial literacy and Savings for Transformation (S4T) can have on an individual's life. For five years, Lembelani has actively participated in the savings group, where he has learned transformative lessons from World Vision Zambia that have changed his approach to handling money and business.
Before joining the savings group, Lembelani faced financial challenges and struggled to provide for his family. His life as a farmer from 2010 to 2013 was marked by short-lived financial stability. Although he earned substantial sums from selling his produce, he struggled with managing the money.
“I used to have money, but I was still facing challenges because I did not know how to manage it,” Lembelani recalls. “I would take the money to the bank, withdraw it bit by bit until it was all gone.”
World Vision Zambia’s teachings on Business management, financial literacy and recording keeping, opened Lembelani’s eyes to a new way of thinking about savings and investment.
“Instead of just keeping money at home, it’s better you save the money so that it can have interest and later on use the money to start a business,” he explains.
This shift in mindset was revolutionary for him. Lembelani now understands the importance of saving and investing wisely rather than spending impulsively.
In 2020, Lembelani was introduced to the Empowered World View program, which further transformed his approach to business.
“Empowered World View really opened my mind to think ahead,” he says. “Instead of looking far to find money to start a business, you can utilize local resources.”
This new perspective helped him identify and capitalize on local opportunities, leading to the creation of a successful livestock medicine shop in 2021.
The Empowered World View (EWV) is a behavior change model designed to address dependency mindsets and foster individual empowerment, particularly among people living in poverty. The model focuses on transforming how individuals perceive their own capabilities and opportunities, encouraging a shift from a mindset of reliance on external aid to one of self-sufficiency and proactive engagement in their own development.
The support from the savings group proved crucial for Tembo’s entrepreneurial journey. “Even when you encounter problems, you can go to the savings group and borrow money,” he notes. This safety net allowed him to take calculated risks and expand his ventures.
After the share-out in 2023, he and his wife strategically registered their names twice to maximize their financial gains. With the funds received, he expanded his business by opening a grocery shop, purchasing seeds for farming, and even buying a car for a taxi service.
“The last share-out in 2023 was good because my wife and I registered our names twice,” he says. “From the money we received, I expanded my business and opened a grocery shop. I also bought some seeds for the farm. From the remaining money, I decided to get a loan to top up the remaining money and bought a car, which I use as a taxi now. That business is really going on well for me.”
Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Tembo is deeply grateful to World Vision for their role in his transformation. “To World Vision, all I want to say is thank you because my mind has been open to being business-minded and how to manage money. Risk management, which I learnt from World Vision Zambia, has been my main drive in life,” he concludes.
Lembelani now grasps the crucial importance of saving and investing wisely. Instead of funnelling his earnings into transient pleasures, he has shifted his focus toward building a secure financial future. He has embraced the principles of financial discipline, understanding that strategic saving and prudent investing are the keys to achieving long-term goals and ensuring financial security.