Oasis 1 Group

The Oasis 1 Group from Salima is a diverse team of entrepreneurs running small but active businesses that keep their households moving forward. The group is made up of four married members and one divorced member, and together they care for 24 children. Their businesses span snack vending, livestock trading, grocery retail, and eatery services, creating multiple streams of income that also help them support one another as a group.

Alima is a 43 year old married entrepreneur and mother of five who has spent the last 20 years building both a grocery shop and an eatery. She began her business journey with the aim of securing a stable income to meet basic household needs and support her family’s daily life. Over time, her work has grown into a dependable livelihood, and she now manages both businesses with the help of one family member who assists in daily operations.

Alima is requesting this loan to restock her grocery store and restaurant, ensuring she can continue meeting customer demand without interruptions. With stronger stock levels, she hopes to keep her businesses steady and prepare for future growth. Her long-term goal is to see her enterprises expand further, and she also plans to purchase a plot where she can build a house for her family.

The group loan will be used across the group’s different business activities, including livestock trading, snack vending, grocery shops, and restaurant operations. The funding will help members restock essential goods, maintain smooth daily operations, and keep their businesses active in a competitive trading environment. As each member strengthens their own enterprise, the group continues to function as a shared support system built around small business growth.

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.