Women of most rural agrarian communities in developing countries are usually constrained with the challenges of accessing financial services to support their agricultural endeavors; this becomes even more severe when such communities are affected by armed conflicts as sources of livelihood are usually destroyed in the wake of the conflict. The establishment of community structure such as Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) has served as a medium through which women’s financial capacity can be strengthened and access to simple savings and loan facilities is enhanced closing the gap that existed as a result of the absence of formal financial services within the local community.

The establishment of Kogom-Tah VSLA has supported the enterprise of the local women farmers and petty traders of Kogom Tah community in Jos South LGA, as members of this group have developed good and consistent saving culture and they have improved access to loan facilities within their community. As a result of this, the economic security of members is enhanced and financial services are brought closer to the community. The VSLA group has been owned by her members – They can now save their money, develop ways to earn more income and ultimately, they are empowered to make a better future for themselves and their families.

The uneven growth and expansion of this group (Kogom Tah VSLA) has led to the established of another group in Thele Community of Jos South LGA, a 5minutes drive away community from Mashiah Foundation intervention community. This group was established when the woman leader of the neighboring community (Thele Community) got the idea from a member of Kogom Tah VSLA on a market day at the central local market.

In the words of Mama Chara, (a vegetable farmer and a woman leader in Thele community), “this savings has supported my farming business and we are better positioned to support our families. All thanks to Mashiah Foundation and the US Embassy Abuja.

Thele Community VSLA is one among the other established VSLA groups that is self-running and supporting the wellbeing of its members in Jos South LGA. Thanks to the US Embassy, Abuja