In 2018, with the support and guidance of World Renew Kenya, eight male and sixteen female residents of the Emkwen Village community started a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). The members, aged 21 to 56, meet every two weeks and contribute a minimum of KES 200 each month to the group’s shared savings pool.

Before joining the VSLA, most members did not have a consistent way to save. Over time, however, the group has experienced significant growth. Members are now seeing the benefits of contributing regularly, as the savings pool has expanded enough to provide low-interest loans to one another.

Millicent Ruto, a mother of four, runs an agrovet shop in her village. Through the VSLA, she has been able to access a loan to invest in her business and support her family. Millicent shares, “The VSLA has helped me and my family in different ways. I have been able to access loans that have enabled me to construct our family house, pay school fees for my three children . . . and pay casual labourers working on my farm.”

Before joining the VSLA, members found it very difficult to access loans through formal financial institutions due to lengthy processes and collateral requirements. “VSLA models have been designed to allow members to have a place to save their money, access loans, and obtain emergency insurance,” explains Evans Limo, the group chairman. He is grateful that a VSLA loan has helped him cover school fees and other education expenses for his two children.

Your support helps make stories like this possible, empowering families in communities like Emkwen Village to move toward greater financial stability and hope for the future. We invite you to continue lifting communities across East Africa in prayer—giving thanks for strengthened livelihoods, and asking for ongoing provision, resilience, and wisdom for both families and local staff as they work together to share lasting hope.