Mazongololo 0701 Group

In Zambia’s Southern Province, there is a group called Mazongololo 0701. This collective of five women came together with the mission of achieving financial independence while also providing shelter for the 43 children in their care. All of them are married, with an average age of 49, and they run various businesses, ranging from selling second-hand clothing and shoes to fabric sarongs locally known as “chitenges.”

For over 15 years, Betty has been a mainstay in her local marketplace. Starting with just a small collection of inventory, she has spent over a decade refining her trade in the competitive second-hand shoe market. Alongside her husband, a fellow entrepreneur, Betty has turned her business into the primary engine for her family’s stability.

Betty’s drive is fueled by more than just profit; it is fueled by her commitment to her household. She is the mother of four children and has opened her home to an orphaned child, treating them as her own. For Betty, the success of her stall directly translates to school fees, nutritious meals, and a secure home for all five children. After 15 years of steady business growth, Betty recognized that she had reached a plateau.

To meet the increasing demand from her loyal customer base and to order more stock, Betty has requested a loan. Other members will use their share of the loan to order stock to replenish their own enterprises.

The Microloan Foundation, Lendwithcare's local partner in Zambia employs a unique 'centre' model for lending to female entrepreneurs. A centre comprises several sub-groups which share the same name as the centre. As such, you may have seen similarly named group loans from Zambia all belonging to the same centre. In this system, each woman is individually responsible for repaying her loan, but the group offers mutual support by assuming overall responsibility together.