OUR IMPACT – Action for Girls’ Empowerment (AGE)

Our Success Story

From Daily Struggle to Growing Stability: How VSLA Support Transformed Mamie’s Family Life in Pleemu Town

Executive Summary

Through the Community Led Human Rights Advocacy and Livelihood Development Program implemented by Action for Girls’ Empowerment (AGE) with support from The Global Fund for Human Rights, women in Pleemu Town are gaining the skills and confidence to improve their livelihoods through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). One beneficiary, Mamie M. David, transformed her small cooked food business from producing only 5 cups of rice daily to 15–20 cups, while also developing a strong culture of saving and financial management. Thus helping her to support her family to thrive. Her story demonstrates how community-led initiative can restore dignity, strengthen families, and inspire long-term resilience.

The Situation/Challenge (The “Before”)

Before joining the Pleemu Women Empowerment Saving Club, Mamie M. David faced significant financial difficulties that affected both her livelihood and family well-being. Living in Pleemu Community and working hard as a small businesswoman, Mamie struggled with managing money and planning for the future. Any small income she earned disappeared quickly because she lacked financial literacy and had never received formal guidance on saving or business management.

As a mother, the pressure of caring for her household became overwhelming at times. Emergencies such as sickness, school expenses, and food shortages created constant stress. Her cooked food business generated very little income, as she could only afford to cook about five cups of rice per day. The profits were often too small to meaningfully support her family after covering expenses.

Like many women in rural communities, Mamie also experienced the social and economic burden of dependency. Opportunities for women to access financial knowledge, savings structures, and small loans were limited. Without support systems, many women remained trapped in cycles of poverty, unable to grow their businesses or improve their household conditions.

This situation highlighted the urgent need for sustainable livelihood opportunities, financial empowerment, and community-based support mechanisms that would allow women to build resilience and become active contributors to their families and communities.

The Response/Intervention (The “Action”)

A key component of the intervention was the establishment and strengthening of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Through the VSLA model, women were trained in financial literacy, saving practices, loan management, VSLA coordination and small business development. The initiative created a safe and supportive environment where women could collectively save money, access small loans, and encourage one another toward economic independence.

Mamie became an active member of the group and now serves as the box keeper, a role that reflects the trust and leadership she has gained within the association. Through AGE’s training sessions, she learned that saving money is not only for wealthy people but a practical tool that anyone can use to improve their future.

The program also promoted mindset transformation by encouraging women to recognize their abilities, strengthen self-confidence, and reduce economic dependency. Through the combination of livelihood support with human rights and empowerment approaches, the intervention helped women see themselves as agents of change within their homes and communities.

Results and Impact (The “After”)

The impact of the intervention on Mamie’s life has been significant. After applying the saving and business management skills gained through the VSLA training, she gradually expanded her cooked food business. Today, instead of cooking only five cups of rice daily, she now prepares between 15 and 20 cups each day, substantially increasing her income and household stability.

Her participation in the saving club has also provided a reliable safety net during difficult times. Through the VSLA, Mamie can access small loans to respond to emergencies such as children’s sickness, school expenses, or food shortages. Importantly, the growth of her business now allows her to repay loans successfully while continuing to support her family.

Beyond economic improvement, the intervention has strengthened confidence and self-reliance among women in Pleemu Town. Many women are now embracing the idea that they can actively contribute to household development, grow businesses, and support their families independently.

The sustainability of this progress lies in the community-based structure of the VSLA model. Members continue to save regularly, support one another, and reinvest in their businesses. The skills and systems introduced through the program will continue benefiting families long after the project period ends.

Testimonial/Quote

Reflecting on her journey, Mamie shared: “Today, I see saving as one of the most important things in life. It gives me peace of mind. It gives me confidence too. Before engaging with AGE, my cooked food business was very small. I used to cook only 5 cups of rice a day, but now I cook between 15 to 20 cups daily. Through the saving club, I’m able to take loans when my children are sick, when school expenses come, or when food is short in the house. What may look small to some people has changed real lives in this community.”

Call to Action

The success of Mamie and other women in Pleemu Town demonstrates the transformative power of community-led empowerment initiatives. However, many vulnerable women and families in rural Liberia still lack access to livelihood opportunities, financial literacy training, and supportive savings structures. Action for Girls’ Empowerment (AGE) remains committed to expanding Village Savings and Loan Associations and strengthening community-based empowerment programs that promote dignity, resilience, and economic independence.

Continued partnership and investment from donors, development partners, and supporters will help extend these opportunities to more women, youth, and families across underserved communities in Liberia. Together, sustainable empowerment can continue turning struggles into stories of hope, resilience, and lasting change. We look forward to the opportunity to gaining partnership to continue this initiative.