Mkakaula 2 Group

Mkakaula 5 Group is a vibrant group of entrepreneurs from Ntchisi, Malawi, who are working hard to improve their livelihoods through small businesses. The members earn their incomes through activities such as selling snacks, vegetables, tomatoes, and operating grocery stores. The group consists of four married members and one divorced member, and together they care for 14 children while striving to create greater financial stability for their families.

One of the members is Beatrice, a 55-year-old entrepreneur and mother of five children. For the past six years, she has operated a grocery store, which she started with the goal of reducing poverty in her household and creating a better future for her family. Over time, the business has grown into a dependable source of income, helping her meet household expenses and provide for her children.

Beatrice works alongside two family members who assist with the day-to-day running of the shop, helping the business operate efficiently. Through her dedication and hard work, she has built a loyal customer base and continues to look for opportunities to expand her business. In the future, she hopes to purchase a motorbike to make transportation easier and improve business operations.

Beatrice plans to use her share of a group loan to purchase additional stock for her grocery store. By increasing her inventory, she hopes to meet customer demand, boost sales, and grow her income. The other members of Mkakaula 5 Group will also use their shares of the loan to purchase stock for their businesses, including groceries, vegetables, tomatoes, and snacks, helping them strengthen their enterprises and build more sustainable sources of income.

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.