New Nkolonga 1401 Group

In Zambia’s Central Province, there is a group called New Nkolonga 1401. The group consists of women entrepreneurs who run various businesses, including grocery sales, tomato trading, and salons, and they have come together in the hope of achieving financial freedom. Collectively, they care for 48 dependents by providing shelter and supporting them with schooling. The members have an average age of 44 years, and all of them are married.

For 20 years, Jenipher has been the heartbeat of her community and the backbone of her family. At 45 years old, she carries a profound level of responsibility. She is a dedicated wife to her husband, a driver, and a loving mother to ten children, six of her own and four orphans whom she opened her heart and home to shelter.

Jenipher is no stranger to the hard work of entrepreneurship. For two decades, she has managed her business, navigating market shifts, economic challenges, and the daily demands of providing for a large family. Her husband’s income as a driver provided a foundation, but it was Jenipher’s steady business revenue that ensured there was always food on the table, school fees in order, and a secure roof over their heads.

To help Jenipher take her business to the next level and increase her profits, she has requested a loan to order more goods in bulk, such as sugar, salt, and cooking oil. Other group members also plan to use their share of the loan to improve their inventory.

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.