Mariam Ramadhan's Journey: A Tale of Resilience and Empowerment

 

Mariam Ramadhan, a 42-year-old single mother of five, lives in Ayalagaya ward, Babati district. She earns her living selling vegetables from a stall outside her home. Her life has been a remarkable journey of resilience, determination, and transformation. As the sole provider for her children, who range in age from 7 to 19, Mariam has faced numerous challenges.

The Early Days: Joining Umoja Savings Group

As a single mother, she had to find ways to provide for her children, ensuring they had food, clothing, and access to education. The Umoja savings group, which she joined in 2007 offered her a lifeline, providing a platform where she could save money and access small loans. The groups, composed of women in similar circumstances, became a support system for Mariam, allowing her to pool resources with others and create a financial cushion for her family.

For more than a decade, Mariam remained a committed member of Umoja. The group offered her the opportunity to save small amounts regularly, which she used to meet her family's immediate needs. However, while the savings group provided stability, it wasn't until 2019 that Mariam's fortunes truly began to change.

A Turning Point: Joining Karimu's Savings Groups Program

In 2019, Umoja savings group became part of Karimu's savings groups program. This marked a significant turning point in Mariam's life and the lives of her fellow group members. Karimu introduced new training programs aimed at improving savings practices and provided the group with a loan that would become a catalyst for greater financial independence.

The training sessions offered by Karimu equipped Mariam with knowledge and skills that she had never before possessed. She learned about budgeting, financial planning, and effective savings techniques. These skills were invaluable, as they enabled her to manage her finances better and make informed decisions about how to use her savings and loans. The loan provided by Karimu to the Umoja group allowed Mariam to take out larger loans than before, which opened up new opportunities for her and her family.

 

 

Building a Future: Education and Home Construction 

One of Mariam's primary goals has always been to provide her children with a good education. With the loans she received from the Umoja savings group, Mariam was able to pay for her children's school fees through secondary school. Mariam's dedication to her children's education has already begun to bear fruit. Her eldest child is now preparing to attend college, a milestone that fills her with pride. She credits her ability to provide for her children's education to the support she received from the Umoja group and the training and loans facilitated by Karimu.

Mariam has also embarked on another ambitious project: building a new house. For many years, Mariam and her children lived in a small, overcrowded house that was in dire need of repairs. The thought of building a new home seemed like an impossible dream. However, with the loans she accessed through Umoja, Mariam began the process of constructing a new, larger house that would provide her family with a safe and comfortable living space. The construction of the house is still ongoing, but Mariam is determined to see it through. Every brick laid and every wall erected represents not just a physical structure, but the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and the power of collective savings.

 

Leadership and Empowerment: Joining UVIKAA Federation

In 2023, the Umoja savings group took another significant step by joining the UVIKAA federation, a larger network of savings groups that offers additional resources and support. Mariam was chosen to be the group's representative to the federation, a role that speaks to the respect and trust she has earned from her peers.

As a representative, Mariam plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of her group and ensuring that they benefit from the resources and opportunities offered by UVIKAA. Her involvement in the federation has further expanded her network, allowing her to connect with other savings groups and learn from their experiences.

 

 

Beyond Financial Gains: The Power of Courage and Community

While the financial benefits of being part of a savings group have been significant, Mariam's journey is also a testament to the personal growth and empowerment that comes from such involvement. Before joining Umoja, Mariam was shy and lacked the confidence to speak up or take on leadership roles. However, her experiences within the group, combined with the training she received, have transformed her into a confident and capable leader.

Mariam's newfound confidence has not gone unnoticed in her community. In recent years, she decided to run for elected office at the village level, a decision that would have seemed unimaginable to her a few years earlier. Today, she is a member of the CCM village council, where she actively participates in decision-making processes that affect her community.

A Vision for the Future: Empowering Other Women

Mariam's journey is far from over. She is now a savings groups’ trainer, using her knowledge and experience to help other women in her community form and manage their own savings groups. “I believe in the power of collective savings and I want to ensure that other women have the same opportunities that I have had,” she says.

Conclusion: A Story of Hope and Resilience

Mariam Ramadhani's story is one of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of community. From a struggling single mother, she has become a respected leader, a champion for education, and an advocate for women's empowerment. Her journey highlights the importance of savings groups in providing financial security, fostering personal growth, and creating opportunities for leadership.

Through her involvement in the Umoja savings group, Karimu's savings groups program, and the UVIKAA federation, Mariam has not only changed her own life but also paved the way for other women to follow in her footsteps. Her story serves as an inspiration to all who seek to overcome adversity and build a better future for themselves and their families.