Saungweme’s salvation came in the form of the New Life Ministries Church and today, she is a happy person, having been empowered by the church through its integrated microcredit programme.
The programme empowers women through financial literacy, credit and saving facilities. It operates through a model of solidarity groups, whereby each member in a group becomes responsible for another.
The founder of the church, Prophet Isaiah Rumungwe, told The Zimbabwean that his church serves and supports some of the poorest women in communities.
Loan scheme
“The church noticed that many poor women lived without social and economic support. So we decided to launch a loan scheme to empower these disadvantaged women and help them create a better life. To start with, our church overseer in Mutare branch selected the first 20 women. They were then given a start-up capital of $2000 which they shared among themselves,” said Rumungwe.
He added that sincere prayers were said for the recipients. Everyone prayed that the money would be used well and that it would yield great profit. This micro-finance scheme, launched in 2013, has now been nicknamed ‘Spiritual Money’ and so far 56 women have benefited from it.
Saungweme, who resides in Sakubva, wanted to start a business to support her family, but she did not have the capital. She could not access a loan as she did not have any collateral.
Then in 2013 she joined the New Life Ministries micro-finance programme via a church officer doing home visits in her suburb. She decided to become a church member and join other women.
Very scared
“At first, I was very scared because I didn’t know about loan services. Participating in church meetings, seminars and workshops empowered me with self-confidence and then I got the loan to establish a business,” explained Saungweme.
“There were also some encouraging words from the Pastor and other group members that gave me hope. I realised that I had the potential to succeed in life and I took up the challenge. This has changed my life. It is like a miracle!” she said.
In January 2013, Saungweme received her first loan of $100 from the church. She started buying and selling vegetables, fruit and other food items from local farmers. She is now one of the most successful women in her group.
“I am so happy that my business is expanding. I rent a piece of land in Weirmouth Plots where I have established a fruit and vegetable garden,” she added.
She now employs other people on a part time basis, thereby creating employment within the community.
Very big shop
“I dream of owning a very big shop one day and of being an entrepreneur. I am now able to send my children to school and cater for their basic needs. I thank the church for this noble initiative and want to encourage other women to join programmes that empower women,” said Saungweme.
Another beneficiary, Gloria Kuwaza, a widow with two children, used to work for other people, but the money she earned was not enough to support her family. “Before I joined the church and benefited from their loan scheme, my life and that of my family was dependant on the little money I collected from neighbours,” she said.
Kuwaza now operates a flea market stall at Sakubva Flea Market. She orders bales of second hand clothes from Mozambique for resale in Mutare.
Good prospects
“I am now a lot better off. My income has improved and I am able to send my children to school. I now feed my family and there are good prospects of bigger profits in the future,” she said.
“There is a big difference between loans offered by some loan sharks and those provided by other institutions. I have no collateral. The loan sharks charge high percentages of interest, but my church only charges 10% interest. The church does not only give us loans, but also teaches us on how to manage our businesses effectively,” Kuwaza explained.
Both Saungweme and Kuwaza are about to finish their loan cycles and have a good record of keeping the 100% profit share.
Post published in: Analysis