One year and a half ago, Stephanie didn't know Lea, and neither of them knew Simeon, nor Enrique, nor Celine. They were living their lives day by day, with their own loopholes and coping mechanisms, until they were brought together during a UNCDF-organized training with GNTZ (our field-based partner) on savings groups in a UNHCR multipurpose training centre, (established as part of the Kigoma Joint Programme, Youth and Women Economic Empowerment – YWEE). They were taught about life skills, entrepreneurship, budgeting, savings and record-keeping. This is where, Stephanie tells us, she and the other 19 refugees met and started their own savings group and decided to try to become entrepreneurs together.

As we talk to them, they’re peeling and grinding cassava. They will wrap the ugali in banana leaves and sell it in the camp.

There are two main benefits of this activity:

They diversify the food that can be bought in the camp, especially now that the common market is closed and They sell enough ugali to make a little profit.

Part of what they earn is invested in borrowing equipment for the transformation of cassava into ugali – the bins to dip the cassava and the other materials that helps transform the cassava into ugali that can be seen in the photos; the remaining proceeds from their sales is distributed among the members for their personal and household-related expenses. Their children's education is a priority.

As a group, they meet every week to pool their savings and buy ‘shares’. They deposit TZS 200 every week (the maximum is TZS 1000) and share out every 9 months, which is the standard duration of a savings group cycle. They would save more, they say, but the closure of the common market has shrunk their opportunities to sell, which has also reduced their income. When they share out, not all the accumulated savings are disbursed. One part is deposited in a social fund, which is there to support the members during hard times – paying for burial ceremonies and medical assistance, for example.

It is hard to believe but the members benefit more from the group than just financial services. Not only do the 20 members of this group work in the same business and save together for emergencies, they discuss their personal struggles and are there for each other when a member needs a hand to hold, like in a hospital bed.

When asked why they decided to start a second savings cycle, Stephanie laughs as if to say "What kind of question is this? Isn't it obvious?". “Do you plan to start a third cycle?”, we continue. And in a tone that leaves no room for doubt, while still peeling the cassava on her laps, she responds with a resounding "Ndiyo!" ("Yes!").