Amai Ticheze Women’s Group from Nayuchi Border in Traditional Authority Mchinguza, Machinga District has said it wants to buy a three-tonne vehicle before this year ends.
The car will enable them transport their merchandise to and from the markets thereby exploring new growth opportunities.
A determined group of five, established in 2021, thrives in diverse ventures including clothing retail, selling of fish, livestock farming and many more and their success is evident in repaying loans to the micro finance company according to the agreed time.
Jinny Kanjoka Chairperson for the grouping told ProjectM that for the past few months the group members have made huge profits through business and have acquired various assets such as plots, rental houses, paying their children’s education and employing about 16 individuals.
Kanjoka, aged 57, said although the group is supposed to pay back the loan after eight months, the small scale traders said they have agreed to do it in six months’ time because they want to apply for another loan amounting to K10 million.
‘’We are glad to announce that we will soon have our own vehicle which will enable us grow and scale our businesses. We commend NEEF for its admirable efforts in providing financial services to our group which has brought us endless opportunities for extraordinary achievements,’’ Kanjoka said.
She, however, said before getting loans from NEEF, women in the area faced different challenges citing unemployment was a big challenge as most opportunities targeted men.
She then advised her fellow women to start small scale businesses, saying this has the potential to drive economic growth of the country and family level.
‘’In this country, which is full of fierce competition, as women we need to work hard because now days our job is no longer in the kitchen. Let us build a strong community of business owners and marketers so that together we can achieve greater success,’’ said Kanjoka.
The group obtained a second loan amounting to K5 million from the National Economic Empowerment Limited (NEEF) in June this year.