Gbarpolu County—Female Zoes and members of the Sande Bush in Yangaryah Town are proving that they can enhance their livelihoods beyond traditional practices.
By Mae Azango [email protected]
Through a loan project funded by the Swedish Embassy, in collaboration with ActionAid Liberia and local partner Domafeign, these women have successfully managed a Village Savings Loan program that has improved their financial independence.
The initiative aims to empower Zoes and Sande practitioners by establishing Village Savings Loans in six rural communities in Gbarpolu County. Yangaryah Town women were the first to complete a one-year savings project, showcasing their ability to manage finances and run small businesses.
“I sell dry goods. I received US$20 (approximately L$3,800 at the time) to start my business, and through my savings, I’ve now accumulated L$55,000, which is over US$300,” said Memmah Saryon, a dry goods vendor.
She noted that her success is partly due to training provided by Action Aid and Domafeign, which has given her confidence in managing her finances.
Saryon, who shared that her husband was initially reluctant to support her participation in the project, has since embraced her efforts. “Using the Village saving loan helped me gain his trust, and now I am able to support our seven children, including two in university,” she added.
As part of the program, women were given US$20 to start their businesses, with an additional L$90,000 distributed among groups of thirty women across six towns. The participating communities are Yangaryah, Gbarma, Zuo, Parker, Vaye, and Tarkpoima.
During a recent closing ceremony, women gathered to collect their one-year profits from a secured steel savings box, which is opened collectively to ensure accountability and security. The women have adopted a numeric system to label their savings, preventing armed robbery by concealing individual amounts.
Weah Seh, a vegetable seller, expressed gratitude for the program, stating that it has allowed her to support her family and regain a sense of autonomy. “With this business, I can help at home, and my husband respects me more,” she said.
Domafeign’s head of program, Foxter Jenemana, emphasized the project’s broader goals, promoting both financial management and the visibility of positive cultural practices outside traditional confines. “We want to showcase the good aspects of the Sande bush, like weaving and cultural crafts, rather than allowing our culture to be hidden away,” he said.
With the first year’s loan successfully returned, Jenemana announced plans to provide larger sums for continued business development. “Our partners will see your success and recognize that you can manage larger loans moving forward,” he added.
Boimah J. Coleman, Executive Director of Domafeign, highlighted the impact of the program on the community, stating that it changes perceptions of women’s capabilities. Clan Chief Varney Sirleaf added that empowering women financially benefits the entire family unit by helping meet essential needs like children’s education.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead in balancing tradition with change, Sirleaf called for continued engagement with communities to foster positive transformation. “Our culture has existed for centuries and cannot disappear overnight, but we can work towards beneficial changes together,” he said.
