WMI Loan Program Alailelai, TZ ( in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area)

Almost all women in WMI’s Alailelai loan program report living in a boma - a series of huts made of sticks and dung. At night, multiple families and their newborn livestock crowd into these tiny spaces to sleep.

Girls in Alailelai are raised primarily to be wives and mothers. Over 50% of the women in WMI’s program have more than six children, and more than 20% have more than 9 children. If a mother’s life improves, she elevates her children with her. 100% of the borrowers in Alailelai reported that their involvement with WMI allowed them to provide more shoes and school uniforms for their children.

In Alailelai, family is everything. Before WMI came to Alailelai 84% of the families had no household amenities at all. However, 6 months later, this figure was reduced to just 15%.

WMI’s business skills training was the first time many of the women in Alaileli have ever stepped foot in a classroom. 93% of the women in the program reported having absolutely no comfort reading or writing. Yet 6 months later, 82% of the women reported their literacy and numeracy abilities had improved.

WMI dispatched Local Program Director Jackie Namonye from Buyobo, Uganda to conduct a three day session to train the women in Alailelai on important business practices and skills before they are eligible for their first loan.

Ngali Kitmwas, elected as the Alaileli loan group’s head administrator, instructs other women in the village to sign their name on loan documents using their thumbprint because they are unable to sign their own names.

Maasi women are not accustomed to handling large sums of money because their economy is mainly based on the trading of livestock. They obtain livestock as a form of savings. Prior to entering the loan program, 81% of borrowers had no savings. After entering the loan program and receiving WMI business training, borrowers save monthly from their business income. At 12 months, most borrowers save from $11 and $20 per month.

One of WMI’s main objectives is to empower the women in the program. Traditionally, Maasi women are not thought to be leaders by their communities.

But WMI gives women leadership positions within their loan group. These leaders are responsible for holding regular support meetings to ensure

everyone’s well-being and business success.

WMI helped women develop business plans to sell goods ranging from soap and beads to onions and tea. 47% of the Maasi women decided to have various types of retail shops, while close to 30% sell livestock.

When borrowers enter the loan program, they do not have individual income. After 6 months, over 70% of the borrowers had an annual income above $150, and by 12 months 100% of borrowers had an annual income above $250.

With the money they earn, the women in the loan program now have the means to pay for healthcare. After 6 months in the loan program, 100% of

the women indicated it was easier to pay for medical expenses.

After starting their businesses, 100% of households eat more meals. Equally exciting is that 69% of borrowers reported having a healthier family. WMI’s loan program impact improves the health and quality of life of the entire household.