SUCESS STORY

From Daily Struggle to Growing Stability: How VSLA Support Transformed Mamie’s Family Life in Pleemu Town A pictorial of Mamie and families The Situation/Challenge (The “Before”) 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. 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”) To address these challenges, Action for Girls’ Empowerment (AGE) is implementing the Community Led Human Rights Advocacy and Livelihood Development Program in Pleemu Community with support from partners. 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. Our team conducting inception meeting with community dwellers of Pleemu 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 A photo of Mamie working to ensure that records are properly kept within the Club Call to Action 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.” 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.

OUR IMPACT

X jumpshare.com Facebook S Jumpshare From Daily Stru… The Response/lntervention (The“Action”) To address these challenges, Action for Girls’ Empowerment (AGE) is implementing the Community Led Human Rights Advocacy and Livelihood Development Program in Pleemu Community with support from partners. 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 Our team conducting inception meeting with in financial literacy. Saving Prae community dwellers of Pleemu 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 re flects 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. strengthen self-confidence and reduee acoragng women to recognize their abilities 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 busine sses. 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 l cook between 15 to 20 cups daily. Through the saving chub, 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 A photo of Mamie working to ensure that lives in this communi.

STAFF INFO

Junior Taylor Korsor
Finance and Administrative Officer
As Finance and Admin Officer, Mr. Korsor has consistently demonstrated dedication, hard work, and professionalism in all aspects of his role.

He holds a National Diploma in Accounting from the Booker Washington Institute Post-Secondary Professional Program. Since joining our team, he has shown remarkable enthusiasm and teamwork, always willing to support others while remaining committed to his own growth and development.
Beyond his work, Mr. Korsor actively contributes to the growth and empowerment of those in his community.

Deborah Blessing Harmon
Gender and Safeguarding Officer
A dedicated and passionate team member committed to always upholding the institution’s Safeguarding Policy. In her role as Gender and Advocacy Officer, she plans and ensures effective project implementation through close coordination and timely preparation of activities with the project management team. Her work is driven by a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all involved.

Rita Cecelia Kollie Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
Demonstrates outstanding dedication and skill in community and development work. As a valuable team member, her commitment to creating positive change has made a lasting impact on the communities we serve. Rita is also responsible for monitoring and tracking the implementation of activities, ensuring that project objectives and targets are met. Her efforts have been instrumental in advancing our mission and delivering meaningful results on the ground.

Final Core Values 

• Accountability: We take ownership for our actions and are answerable to ourselves, partners and the communities we serve. We learn from our successes and challenges to serve our community better every day. 
• Commitment: We’re passionate and persistent. We show up for adolescents, young women, boys and vulnerable communities, stand with them, and stay committed until change is real and lasting. Staying dedicated to our work, our team, our mission and seeing things through start to finish. Our work is fueled by a deep commitment to build an inclusive futures. At AGE, Commitment means standing firm in our purpose, in a society where everyone wants you to always think the same, showing up with courage, and pushing boundaries to make equity and justice a reality.
• Respect: Every person, every voice and every story matters. We foster a culture where everyone is valued, regardless of background or experience. At AGE, Respect means embracing diversity, honoring cultural identities, and promoting a safe space where every girl, young woman and boys is treated with fairness, compassion, and equal opportunity to thrive. 
• Integrity: We stay true to our mission, ourselves, and act with honesty even when no one is watching. At AGE, Integrity is the bridge between what we say and what we do. It means doing what’s right for adolescents, young women, boys and vulnerable communities, not what’s convenient. We act with honesty, fairness, and strong moral principles in all we do. Integrity guides our actions and decisions. 
• Trustworthiness: At AGE, Trustworthiness is the foundation of our relationships with our team, adolescents, young women, communities we serve, and our partners. Our team builds relationships through honesty, transparency, and reliability because trust is the foundation of real empowerment. We foster trust by listening, being transparent, and consistently standing with those whose voices are often unheard or overlooked. We build and maintain trust by being reliable, dependable, and true to our word. 
• Teamwork: Team work to us means working collaboratively, valuing each person’s contributions and combining our skills and efforts to achieving shared goals for ourselves, partners, and our communities.  We grow stronger together, valuing collaboration, shared ideas, and unity in action.
• Empowerment:  At the heart of everything we do, we support girls and young women, alongside boys and communities, to discover their voices and strengths. Through confidence, skills, and opportunities, we enable informed choices and help individuals take charge of their lives and shape their own futures.
• Sustainability: Sustainability guides everything we do at AGE. We work alongside communities to build ownership and strengthen the skills of adolescents, young women, and boys to lead lasting change. Our focus goes beyond short-term activities we invest in people and systems that create long-term impact. By prioritizing programs over projects, we help communities grow stronger, more resilient, and better prepared to thrive today and in the future.

-ACRITTES-

A=Accountability, C=Commitment, R=Respect, I=Integrity T=Trustworthiness, T=Teamwork, E=Empowerment, S= Sustainability  

VISION:

AGE envisions a society free of discrimination, where every adolescents and vulnerable child has equal access to education, health, opportunities, and the freedom to thrive.

Statement:

We envision a society free of discrimination where every adolescents, young women, boys and vulnerable groups irrespective of background, identity, ethnicity, or circumstances, has unhindered access to education, health, equal opportunities, and the freedom to pursue their aspirations.  

MISSION

To contribute towards building healthy, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable communities. 

STATEMENT 

Contributes to building healthy, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable communities by strengthening the capacities of young women and girls through outreach and advocacy, expanding access to SRHR and WASH services, economic empowerment and advancing a human rights–based approach.