Dolly Mudongo, a mother of seven from Khoma village, transformed her life through participation in a Saving and Internal Lending Community (SILC) supported by the GAINS Tuya Kumpala project. Previously struggling with unstable income and limited resources, she gained access to savings and small loans that allowed her to grow her soap-making business. Within months, her earnings increased, enabling her to meet her family’s basic needs and improve their food security. Today, Dolly enjoys greater financial stability and looks to the future with confidence, illustrating the impact of community-based savings groups in empowering vulnerable households.

This article tells the inspiring story of Jacqui Tshela, a young farmer in rural DR Congo who transformed her livelihood through improved agricultural practices learned in a Farmer Field School. After years of low yields and discouragement, she adopted new techniques and significantly increased her cassava production on a much smaller plot. Her success highlights how training, quality seeds, and community support can boost food security, restore hope, and empower vulnerable households.

In the middle of this struggle, an earthquake severely damaged Zin’s home. Since the house was no longer safe, the family moved into a temporary shelter for eight months. While they received support from charity organizations, Zin never stopped working to cover her family’s other needs. Eventually, they repaired their home and were able to move back.

This World Water Day, find out how the provision of clean water in Humaira’s village has not only saved lives but enhanced women’s decision making power.

Rouka Douzané turned small savings into a thriving restaurant that now employs 13 people. She provides her community with both income opportunities and a welcoming space to gather. Beyond business, she champions women’s rights by fighting harmful practices like child marriage and gender-based violence. Her vision is to expand Empowered Worldview training to help more families break free from poverty and build lasting change.

This opion is about supporting women to lead environmental transformation

This article is about how to fill the gender gap in uganda's water crisis

In Mabalako, a small loan of about 105 US dollars from a Village Savings and Loan Association helped Neema, a 28-year-old mother displaced by violence, rebuild her life. After fleeing attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces with her husband and five daughters, the family struggled to survive through daily labor. Through the Empower project, implemented by World Vision with support from Irish Aid, Neema joined a savings group where she accessed small loans to start selling vegetables and tomatoes in the local market. The business allowed her to repay the credit, cover her children’s basic needs, and begin building a home with her husband. Neema’s story highlights how community savings groups are strengthening the economic resilience and self-reliance of conflict-affected families in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, offering hope in a region long affected by insecurity and poverty.

In DRC, World Vision is helping transform traditional gender roles through its Men Care approach, supported by Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH). The programme trains community facilitators who lead discussions with fathers on positive parenting, shared household responsibilities, girls’ education, and non-violent family relationships. In its first phase, 660 men from Nyangezi and Nyantende participated. The initiative is already producing visible changes in families, with many men becoming more involved in domestic tasks, communication, and childcare. By encouraging fathers to play a more active and supportive role at home, World Vision aims to strengthen families, reduce domestic tensions, and create safer, more nurturing environments for children.