DIEU NOTRE FORCE Group

The DIEU NOTRE FORCE Group is a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) based in Méagui, Côte d'Ivoire. The group brings together 30 members, including 28 women and two men, who work together to improve their livelihoods through savings, mutual support and small business activities.

Most members of DIEU NOTRE FORCE are traders and restaurateurs, earning an income through the sale of clothing, shoes, household goods, beauty products, food items and other consumer products.

United by faith, solidarity and a shared commitment to improving their living conditions, members save regularly each week and support one another through the group's savings fund. Their disciplined approach to saving has helped many members start or expand their businesses, strengthening their financial confidence and creating new opportunities for their families. As their enterprises continue to grow, however, their funding requirements now exceed what the group's internal resources can provide.

The group applied for a collective loan to help members expand their businesses, diversify the products they sell and increase stock levels. Limited access to working capital often restricts their ability to purchase goods in larger quantities, take advantage of supplier discounts or maintain sufficient inventory to meet customer demand. For some members, transport costs associated with sourcing merchandise also represent a significant challenge.

By providing additional working capital, the loan will help members strengthen their businesses, maintain more consistent stock levels and reduce interruptions to trading activities. Increased incomes will enable members to better support their families, pay school fees, access healthcare and contribute further to the group's savings fund. The financing will also reinforce the group's long-standing culture of solidarity and sound financial management.

One of the group's members is Abissatou, who operates a small retail business selling shoes, sandals, handbags and towels. She explains that participation in the VSLA has helped members develop stronger businesses and improve their financial confidence. With her share of the loan, she plans to diversify her product range by purchasing additional merchandise, enabling her to attract more customers and increase profits.

Another member, Estelle, manages a shop selling household and personal care products, including lotions, soap, towels and bed sheets. She hopes to use her share of the loan to purchase additional clothing stock, cover transportation costs and maintain adequate inventory levels. She believes these investments will help her expand her business and improve her household income.

Through this collective loan, members of the DIEU NOTRE FORCE Group will be able to increase inventory, diversify product offerings and strengthen their businesses. These investments will help improve household incomes, support the continuity of their economic activities and create greater financial stability for their families and community.

Please note that this loan will be repaid in one lump sum at the end of the 11-month loan term.

Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) empower communities, especially women, to take control of their finances by saving together and lending to one another. For over 30 years, CARE has championed the life-changing impact of VSLAs as a pathway to financial inclusion. As members’ ambitions grow, partnerships built by Lendwithcare can help connect these groups to formal financial institutions—unlocking access to greater investment, stronger businesses, and brighter futures.