Every International Women’s Day, we celebrate the many ways women around the world are transforming the story of poverty for their families and communities.
Joleny, 23, lives with her family in a rural community in Nicaragua, where access to banks and formal financial services is limited. When she was 19, with support from World Renew, Joleny joined others in her community to establish a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA). Together, they began contributing regularly to a shared savings pool, which members could later access through low-interest loans.
Today, Joleny serves as the president of her VSLA. At first, she felt overwhelmed stepping into a leadership role at such a young age—especially as many members were older and, like her, had no prior leadership experience. Despite her uncertainty, she chose to take on the challenge.
Through perseverance and dedication, Joleny has grown into her role and gained the respect of her peers. “I faced the difficulty of leading people older than myself, but with perseverance and dedication, I have gained people’s respect and support,” she shares. Under her leadership, the VSLA has helped foster a culture of saving, organisation, and shared responsibility within the community.
In addition to her work with the VSLA, Joleny participated in a Farmer Field School programme supported by World Renew, where she learned practical techniques to improve agricultural productivity. By accessing loans through her savings group, she has been able to apply these lessons directly.
“I have been able to access loans to purchase agricultural inputs and seeds to invest in our bean and corn crops, which help us strengthen our economy and provide us with greater financial stability,” Joleny explains.
Stories like Joleny’s highlight how women are building confidence, developing leadership skills, and creating opportunities—not only for themselves, but for those around them. Across communities worldwide, women are demonstrating resilience, initiative, and the power of collective action as they work toward stronger, more stable futures.
