From Struggle to Stability: How Financial Inclusion Created Lasting Change for Rehema’s Family 

In Kewe village, Tanzania, Rehema has spent years working hard to provide for her family. As a small business owner selling goods in the local market and a subsistence farmer growing crops on a small plot of land, she juggled many responsibilities. But with limited access to financial resources, growing her business and securing a stable future for her three children often felt impossible. 

Everything changed in 2021, when Rehema joined Amani Kewe VSLA, a VisionFund-supported savings group. Through the group, she gained access to small loans, savings, and financial training – unlocking new opportunities for herself, her family, and her entire community. 

A Struggle to Grow 
For years, Rehema’s business remained small due to a lack of capital. She could only afford to buy 5 liters of sunflower oil at a time to sell in her kiosk at Kasanda Market, limiting her sales and profits. The income she made was just enough to cover basic household needs, leaving little room for savings or investment in her farm. 

With three children, Allen (18), Nuru (14), and Adam (8), her greatest concern was ensuring they could stay in school. But without a financial cushion, unexpected expenses always posed a risk. 

She needed a way to grow. 

A Turning Point: Access to Capital 
When Amani Kewe VSLA received a 2,000,000 TZS ($800) loan from VisionFund through its FAST program, Rehema finally had an opportunity to invest in her future. She borrowed 300,000 TZS ($120) from the group’s cashbox, using the funds to: 

1. Expand her kiosk business, increasing her sunflower oil stock from 5 liters to 40 liters 
2. Modernize her farming, hiring laborers to help increase productivity 
3. Strengthen her savings, ensuring she had a safety net for family needs 

“Before joining the savings group, I didn’t have a way to save money properly. Now, I can save regularly and access small loans when I need them for my business and my family.” – Rehema 

A Stronger Community Beyond Business 
The impact of financial access extends far beyond Rehema’s own success. Her savings group has now taken out three rounds of loans from VisionFund, significantly increasing its ability to support its members. 

In total, Amani Kewe VSLA has 11 members, 10 of whom are women, and together they support 36 children. Before receiving external financing, the group had limited capital to lend. Now, its members can grow their businesses, support their families, and plan for the future. 

Rehema’s children no longer worry about school fees, and her farm produces enough to provide food for her family while generating extra income. 

A Future Full of Possibilities 
Rehema is proud of how far she has come – but she isn’t stopping here. She dreams of expanding her business beyond selling sunflower oil, adding new products that will increase her income and create more stability for her family. 

 “VisionFund has given us a great opportunity. I hope they will increase the FAST loan limit beyond 5,000,000 TZS so we can grow even more.” 

For women like Rehema, financial inclusion is creating lasting change. With the right resources, savings groups like Amani Kewe are empowering entire communities, ensuring children stay in school, and breaking the cycle of poverty for generations to come.  

  
Caption: Rehema with her children at their kiosk selling sunflower cooking oil.