DR Congo: How Savings Groups Transformed Dolly Mudongo’s Life and Livelihood

Dolly Mudongo, a mother in her fifties, is confident in a brighter future thanks to her income-generating activity. She developed her entrepreneurial spirit through training provided by GAINS within the SILC (Saving and Internal Lending Communities).

A mother of a large family with seven children, Dolly lives in the village of Khoma, 8 km from Nyanga center. For years, she bore the burden of a low-income household. Despite her skills in artisanal soap-making, her business stagnated due to a severe lack of capital. Her income was unstable, and her family could only afford one meal a day.

A new life full of hope began for her in October 2024, when the GAINS Tuya Kumpala project, funded by the U.S. Government, launched its activities in Khoma with the establishment of internal savings and lending communities. Dolly joined the SILC group MAKEMAKE, where she was chosen as the key keeper.

Thanks to this community-based mechanism, she began saving regularly and gained access to flexible loans.

Each member agreed to contribute 2,000 Congolese Francs (about $0.80 USD) per week. After three months, Dolly requested a loan of 100,000 FC (around $40 USD) to strengthen her business. This financial support allowed her to purchase enough raw materials and produce soap more efficiently.

After another three months, a remarkable transformation occurred in Dolly’s life.              

“I increased my savings shares, and now I earn a weekly interest of 15,000 FC (6$ USD) a revenue that allows me not only to reinvest in my business but also to meet my family’s essential needs,” she says with determination.

During the annual profit-sharing, her capital saw a significant boost, enhancing her ability to grow her small business.

The change is visible in her household. From one meal a day, her family now enjoys two meals daily, a significant improvement in their food security. Today, she has successfully stabilized her household’s socio-economic situation.

GAINS-Tuya Kumpala supports 56 Saving and Internal Lending Communities (SILCs) in the health zones of Nyanga and Kitangua, to empowering farmers to achieve financial independence. More than 1,453 members have been trained in SILC modules.

Graduating to Sustainable Agriculture, Income, Nutrition and Food Security (GAINS), implemented by Mercy Corps and World Vision known locally as Tuya kumpala, supports US Government’s strategic objectives for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by working with households, community leaders, and the government of DRC to improve food and nutrition security and economic well-being of vulnerable households in Kasai.

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