💼 From Widow to Business Owner: My VSLA Journey
Life after losing my husband was filled with uncertainty. As a widow in Jonglei with four children to feed, I often wondered how I would survive. Like many women in South Sudan, I had no savings, no business skills, and limited opportunities. That changed when Diko Creative Initiatives (DCI) introduced me to the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program.
In our VSLA group of 25 women, we met weekly to save small amounts and give out loans. At first, I was nervous, but the training from DCI taught us financial literacy, record-keeping, and business basics. With my first loan, I started a small vegetable stall at the local market. The profits allowed me to repay the loan and take a larger one to expand.
Contact UsToday, I run a thriving small business selling vegetables and charcoal. I can pay school fees, feed my family, and even support other widows. The VSLA gave me more than money — it gave me confidence, a supportive sisterhood, and a voice in my community. Many women in our group have started bakeries, tailoring businesses, or poultry farms.
DCI’s VSLA program does not just provide financial services; it builds resilience and dignity. Women who once felt powerless now make decisions, support their households, and contribute to community development. The graduation ceremony where we celebrated our achievements was one of the proudest moments of my life.
If you are a woman struggling to make ends meet, know that change is possible. Through collective saving, training, and determination, you too can transform your life. DCI continues to expand these groups across South Sudan because we believe empowered women build stronger families and communities.
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