The article details the transformative impact of the Manangwonzi Savings Group in Monze, Zambia, focusing on member Polite Masaka. Through collective savings and investment, community members strengthen their resilience against climate shocks, as illustrated by Polite’s successful diversification of her farm. The initiative emphasizes community empowerment and the importance of financial safety nets in facing economic challenges.
On a bright Monday morning in Manangwonzi, Polite Masaka, a devoted farmer and grandmother, prepares for a pivotal meeting at the community center. She is a member of the Manangwonzi Savings Group, which she has diligently attended for six months. Joining this group has significantly transformed her life in ways she never anticipated.
As the secretary of the group, Polite is characterized by her cheerful disposition and determined spirit. Despite her joyful demeanor, she maintains a strict atmosphere during meetings. Any minor distraction can lead to a fine of Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) 2, which she enforces with humor, stating that “this one hour is serious business.”
The savings group employs an effective model where members contribute funds, lend them with interest, and reinvest the returns into various projects. Shares in the group cost ZMW 20, allowing participants like Polite to accumulate significant savings. She has managed to save ZMW 1,360 and received ZMW 12,900, inclusive of interest, during the last share-out.
With the profits, Polite has successfully diversified her farm from solely crops to a mixed farm, now home to 25 chickens, 7 pigs, 6 guinea fowl, and 10 goats, an accomplishment realized in six months. She expresses her joy in having finally pursued her dream of raising pigs, declaring, “I always wanted to raise pigs, and now I can finally do it.”
In Monze, Zambia, communities are collaboratively responding to climate shocks through innovative savings groups. These grassroots initiatives empower locals by pooling resources to establish financial safety nets. This collective action strengthens community ties and enhances resilience against the adverse effects of climate change, enabling members to confront economic challenges and unpredictable weather patterns more effectively.
The transformation seen in Monangwonzi through the Manangwonzi Savings Group illustrates the power of collective financial strategies in addressing climate challenges. Polite Masaka’s experience highlights the remarkable benefits of such initiatives, demonstrating how community collaboration enhances resilience against economic and environmental uncertainties. As communities unite and invest in shared goals, they fortify their capacities to withstand the impacts of climate change.
Original Source: www.undp.org
