Originally published on CARE website.
Kanai Garba of Danja village outside Maradi City in Niger was a member of one of the first CARE Village Savings & Loan Associations. Through her businesses selling peanut oil and corn and breeding animals, she has bought her own home and built financial freedom for herself and her family. She says the CARE savings groups in Danja have built a store where girls can grind nuts to make oil and generate income and a structure where they can discuss important issues such as early marriage and sexuality. Kanai has taken on leadership roles, including chairwoman of the agricultural regional chamber and president of a federation composed of eight VSLA groups. “If other women don’t know how to do VSLA, tell them to come see me and I will show them!” she says. Through her involvement in the VSLA program — and the businesses she operates as a result — she is paying for 13 grandchildren to get an education.