Ngara, TZ – Small savings and loan sparks big changes for one family and rural communities – May 2025

David, a committed member of a local Vicoba savings and loan group (MVG), is a role model of how savings and micro-loans, community support and opportunity can transform lives. With the help of SODAT and Better Lives, David successfully completed paying a TZS 18 million home improvement loan. He then secured another loan of a Rent-to-Own pickup truck and launched a transportation business.

David now provides a vital service in rural Ngara, where poor infrastructure limits access to markets and services. His truck helps connect farmers, traders, and families – boosting his income and strengthening the local economy. From his earnings, he saves TZS 450,000 monthly to cover regular maintenance, annual permits, and repays TZS 500,000 on his loan.

Building on this success, David also launched a maize flour business using his father’s milling machine, and bagging the flour for sale. Using his truck, he distributes sacks of flour – an affordable staple for many families – to hard-to-reach rural communities.

Beyond business, David is the manager of SODAT, where he helps schools grow food and supports school breakfast programs. He encourages parents to participate in the ingredients stock contribution for yearly school breakfast of their children every school day.

David’s commitment is to use his business and other source of income to repay his loan in two years ahead of time, to officially own his truck. With Better lives support and Vicoba savings aims to expand his business to own a transportation company.