From a saver to a money lender - VSLA Success Story

Amach Elizabeth is a 28-year-old mother of two children; (4 months and 8 years old daughter) and a resident of Any Idi village in Bor.  Growing up with her siblings, Elizabeth says life was tranquil, since her parents were supportive, they endeavored to give them the opportunity to study in schools of their choice. However, during South Sudan conflict with the North, Elizabeth and her family were forced to flee their home in Bor in 2001 and they resettled in Yei IDP where she completed her senior four at St. Joseph’s Secondary School in 2014. All was well until Mary lost her parents and the support for her education ended since her relatives had limited resources to further her education. This led to Mary’s eventual dropping-out of school.

“My real challenges started when I lost both of my parents and elder brother. My father died in 2011, elder brother in 2013 and mother in 2015.” explains teary Amach.

Despite her challenges, Elizabeth progressed against odds. With support from her brother, Elizabeth was enrolled for a three months tailoring course in Bor, where she learnt skills in designing clothes. After completing her course, the brother bought a sewing machine for her to establish an income generating activity. Besides tailoring, Elizabeth got a job as a hotel attendant to help her raise some capital. Out of her salary she later bought tailoring materials and started making the dresses.

Amach Elizabeth selling her products to customers in Anyidi market

While running her tailoring business, Elizabeth learnt about CARE’s Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) through a friend, a member of a VSLA group in Anyidi Payam, Bor County. “I was compelled by my friend’s excitement about the benefits of the savings. I immediately joined with the small earnings from my tailoring business.” she says. Elizabeth joined the VSLA group in her village called “Matkuwachin” meaning “let us put our hands together”. Before the group started saving, CARE trained them on the VSLA approach and methodology, saving, record keeping, business and financial management, planning, marketing, customer care, linking VSLAs with market traders etc. In a period of four months in the group, Elizabeth borrowed her first loan of 50,000 SSP (USD 125) out of which she used to buy more Kitenge (African wear materials). To expand her business Elizabeth added more stock including clothes, saucepans, shoes, and men’s trousers. “I have learned that it isn’t good to depend on one business, that’s why I have used my profits to buy clothes, saucepans, shoes, trousers to earn more money.”

Amach in her tailoring business

As a result of her hard work, Elizabeth’s business is flourishing, now she is able to save between 100,000 to 120,000 SSP monthly an equivalent of 250-300 USD. With these profits, Elizabeth tried to open an account in Bor but after realizing saving in the Bank doesn’t fetch her interest, she withdrew. “I withdrew my money from the bank, and now I am giving loans of 100,000 to 200,000 SSP to women, who have not gotten the opportunity to join any VSLA, and I charge them an interest rate of 10 percent.” says Amach.

Now a promising entrepreneur, Elizabeth has good plans not only for herself but for the women in her community as she says, “My future plan is to establish a big shop selling children’s and women’s clothes. I need my children to get the best education, and l will render services to my community through business and ensure the disadvantaged women are involved in income generating activities.”