Community Resilience: Polite Masaka’s Story from Monze, Zambia

In Monze, Zambia, the Manangwonzi Savings Group empowers its members through collective savings, creating financial resilience against climate shocks. Member Polite Masaka exemplifies the success of this initiative, transforming her farm through the group’s support. The story illustrates the power of community collaboration in overcoming climate challenges.

In Monze, Zambia, the community of Manangwonzi actively combats climate shocks by participating in innovative savings groups. These groups allow members to collectively pool their resources, providing a financial safety net against unpredictability caused by climate change. Polite Masaka, a dedicated farmer, exemplifies the benefits of this initiative, having significantly improved her livelihood in a very short time.

Polite, who serves as the secretary of the Manangwonzi Savings Group, approaches her responsibilities with both enthusiasm and determination. She firmly believes in the importance of their meetings, where members discuss financial strategies and hold each other accountable. Her playful fine system for distractions highlights her commitment to maintaining focus within the group.

The Manangwonzi Savings Group operates by allowing members to invest Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) contributions, which grow through interest and reinvestment. Polite has personally saved ZMW 1,360 while distributing an impressive ZMW 12,900 back to members at the last share-out. This transformative experience enabled her to expand her farming activities beyond just crops.

In just six months, Polite transitioned from a modest vegetable farm to a thriving mixed farm, adding livestock such as chickens, pigs, guinea fowl, and goats. She expressed her joy, stating, “I always wanted to raise pigs, and now I can finally do it.” This successful venture showcases the potency of collective action in promoting resilience within communities facing climate challenges.

The story of Polite Masaka in Monze highlights the vital role of community savings groups in empowering individuals to protect themselves against the uncertainties presented by climate change. By pooling resources and fostering accountability among members, these groups are making significant strides toward enhanced livelihoods and sustainable farming practices. This initiative exemplifies how collective action can help communities adapt and thrive despite environmental challenges.

Original Source: www.undp.org