Mphatso 1 group

Mphatso 1 Group is a vibrant group of five married entrepreneurs from Salima who operate businesses ranging from fish trading and grocery stores to mobile money services. Together, they support 31 dependents and care for 6 orphans, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the welfare of their families and community through entrepreneurship. Their businesses provide not only income but also hope for a better future.

Rukiya, one of the members, is a 42-year-old entrepreneur married to a businessman and a devoted mother of eight children. In addition to her own children, she also cares for two orphans, making her household responsibilities especially demanding. For the past 20 years, she has successfully operated a grocery store, using the business as a means of providing food, clothing, education, and other necessities for her large family.

Her years of experience have enabled her to build a trusted business within her community. Rukiya works diligently to keep her store stocked and responsive to customer needs. She is supported by another member of her family. Her income plays a crucial role in supporting her household and ensuring that the children under her care have access to opportunities that can improve their future.

Rukiya's dream is to continue expanding her business so that it can generate even more income for her family. She is particularly passionate about educating her children and believes that a stronger business will help her provide them with the resources they need to succeed in life.

Mphatso 1 Group is seeking a loan to strengthen and expand the members' various enterprises. Members will use the funds to restock their businesses with the products and supplies needed to meet growing customer demand, whether in grocery trading, fish sales, or mobile money services.

The Microloan Foundation, Lendwithcare's local partner in Malawi 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 Malawi 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.