Secure Family Finances, Empower Women's Businesses

Hasna is a mother, a businesswoman, and an active member of the Saving for Transformations (S4T) group. Driven by the desire to supplement her family's income, Hasna runs a banana chip business. To help ensure the stability of her family's finances, she actively participates in S4T. 

"Thanks to S4T, I can pay for my children's college tuition, school fees, and help with the capital for my banana chip business," she explains. "In the past, it was difficult. If I wanted to borrow money, I had to go to the bank and use my land certificate as collateral." 

Since joining the saving group, Hasna and other women in a village in Sigi, Central Sulawesi, have been able to save regularly, borrow at low interest rates, and develop balance financial management practices for their households. True to its name, S4T is not just a savings program; a significant portion of the savings are used to meet the needs of children and families. 

"Borrowing from S4T only costs 5,000 rupiah in interest for every 100,000 rupiah. Saving money with S4T also yields better returns. This activity is like an arisan (rotating savings and credit association), but with a purpose behind every contribution. It also gives us peace of mind knowing that we have the funds to cover any unexpected expenses or needs for our children. Having savings makes things easier for us," she says. 

Today, Hasna is not only a dedicated mother but also a contributor to her family's financial well-being. The combined income of Hasna and her husband, along with the security of their savings with S4T, has placed her family on a more secure financial footing. Hasna can now map out and plan how much she needs to save to cover regular expenses. She can also calculate how long it will take to save enough to meet their substantial living costs. More than just a savings program, S4T has become a platform for educating women about financial literacy, empowering them to create a more prosperous future for their children and families. 

"My business has also been able to grow thanks to S4T. It would be difficult to do so solely on my husband's income. I am grateful to WVI for introducing me to S4T. As village cadres and S4T members, we have been able to participate in valuable training sessions, which have been immensely helpful," Hasna shares. 

Having successfully balanced her family's finances, Hasna is now expanding her banana chip business, which she runs with other women in the village. "My plan is to grow this business and involve more neighbors. This will create more job opportunities in the village. I want to take the business we've already started to the next level," Hasna hopes. 

In addition to empowering families in the village, S4T has also become a catalyst for women to explore entrepreneurial opportunities. The businesses run by women contribute to the economic progress of the village. 

Working in collaboration with the community, S4T is one of the programs facilitated by WVI. The programs implemented by WVI aim to empower children and communities in the areas of economics, education, health, and protection. Every activity like S4T, every transformation like Hasna's, stems from your support. You have helped us to continue to be present among the most vulnerable communities. Let's continue your role as a WVI sponsor and together, let's free children and communities from poverty. 

Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)