Kilimanjaro, TZ – The Lishe jamii Vicoba is empowering families and their children’s lives – May 2025
The Village Community Banking (VICOBA) group members’ are saving and giving loans for entrepreneurship that improves their families’ and children’s lives.
With mentoring and training support from Lishe Bora, the Vicoba group’s business projects focused on sewing and the production of nutritious flour. These initiatives have not only generated steady income but have also improved the health and well-being of members, their families, and children throughout the community.
As part of the innovative “Grow-Own-Breakfast” (GOB) program, each member established a Faith Garden at home. These small gardens supply fresh, nutritious food for their families and, when there’s surplus, generate extra income through local market sales – feeding both families and the Vicoba savings fund.
Every Tuesday, the Vicoba members gather – not just to save money, but to share ideas, offer low-interest loans, and discuss sustainable solutions to everyday challenges. These weekly meetings have become a powerful space of resilience, collaboration, and community support.
One of the group’s most impactful projects is the production of reusable sanitary pads. By sewing and distributing these pads, the group has made a tangible difference in the lives of schoolgirls—helping them stay in class during menstruation. The result: improved school attendance, better academic performance, and increased confidence for the next generation of young women.
Currently, the group rents sewing machines and relies on donated fabrics to sustain their sanitary pads productions, with commitment to touch many lives despite limited resources. However, owning a sewing machine would allow to turn borrowed tools into lasting change—making sewing Expected, Easier, and Enjoyable for all to continue building a healthier, stronger future for families and children across their community.
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