Meet Joyce from Zambia

Catholic Relief Services’ microfinance programs in Zambia and around the world help people in the poorest communities earn more money to support their families and set aside savings for the future. Community groups provide loans that help members start small businesses to earn better incomes. These programs reflect the Catholic social teaching principle of the Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers.

My name is Joyce Namate Malunda and my two daughters and I live in Mongu, Zambia. For me, life has always been hard. I have a small farm, but can’t grow enough food to feed my family. My house is small and doesn’t keep out the wind and rain. I was very happy when CRS came to our village and helped us to start a Savings and Internal Lending Community (SILC).

The members of my SILC group are all people who have known and trusted each other for a long time. We meet every two weeks, and each member brings a small amount of money she has saved to put into our community bank. Members can also request small loans. The group votes on whether or not to give the loan and decides how much time the person should have to pay it back. When members pay back their loans, they also pay a little interest, which increases the amount of money in our community bank. With the loan I received, I was able to open a small grocery shop in the market. I earned enough money to move my family into a better house, and now I can buy good food and pay my daughters’ school fees. Hunger and poverty will soon be a story of the past for us.