How Savings for Transformation Helped the Ha Maphohloane community in Lesotho Break free from poverty

By: Reentseng Phephetho, Communications and Digital Officer, World Vision Lesotho

In Ha Maphohloane, in the district of Mohale’s Hoek, women and men once faced a financial crisis that affected their livelihoods and their ability to meet daily basic needs. This hardship also took a toll on the development and growth of their children, as many parents had no jobs to make ends meet for their families.

“I found myself swimming in debt, trying to provide for my two children’s, basic needs and school needs,” remembered ‘Mampolokeng. “This caused conflicts between me and my neighbours who used to lend me money I could not repay,” she continued.

“I found myself swimming in debt, trying to provide for my two children’s, basic needs and school needs,” - Mampolokeng

Thi community faced heartbreaking challenges; children dropping out of school because parents could not afford to buy school supplies or pay fees; hunger topping the list of struggles as families could hardly provide food for their children. “I had dreams, I always aspired to afford my children a good life and to have beautiful things in my home. The failure to achieve this left me depressed, always shouting at my children at the thought that I couldn’t even sustain their daily bread,” remarked ‘Matumelo Tseole.

“I had dreams, I always aspired to afford my children a good life and to have beautiful things in my home. - 'Matumelo

Although some tried farming to improve their lives, many did not succeed because they lacked proper skills to manage and sustain their farming activities. At times, they did not even have money to buy farming inputs like seeds, animal feeds and equipment to keep their projects alive. “I raised chickens for a living, but along the way, I could not afford to feed them. They died and this badly affected our livelihood shared ‘Marorisang. For Mr. Potsane, who always had a passion for vegetable farming, the lack of skills and farming inputs meant his crops could not survive, leaving his family struggling.

In the midst of all these challenges, hope finally arrived through World Vision Lesotho’s Livelihoods and Resilience Technical Programme, which aims to graduate the most vulnerable families out of extreme poverty; empowering them to become economically self-reliant and restoring their dignity so they can provide for their children.

In March 2018, a group of thirteen (13) community members; twelve (12) women and one (1) man came together to form a Savings for Transformation (S4T) group.  The S4T model is an approach being used by over six million active participants globally, many of whom are women, empowering vulnerable communities to save money, access small loans, and invest in income-generating activities; a pathway out of poverty rooted in dignity, self-reliance, and shared purpose.

With training and support from World Vision, the group learned how to manage and grow their savings and credit. At the end of each year, members receive their share of savings, averaging M5,000 per person; a lifeline that turned desperation into opportunity. This was a turning point for this group. Life became different; dreams started coming true. “S4T changed my life. shared ‘Matumelo, smiling with pride.” I am now living the life I once only dreamed, of and I no longer depend on my Neighbour's for my children to have their next meal”. School fees are paid on time, children have enough to eat, and parents have launched businesses; all rooted in the stability provided by the savings group.

” I am now living the life I once only dreamed, of and I no longer depend on my Neighbour's for my children to have their next meal.” - 'Matumelo

One of the group members, ‘Malieketseng, borrowed money from the savings group to start a second- hand clothing business, which now brings enough income to support her children. 

For ‘Mampolokeng, the S4T group was a complete game changer for her and her two sons. Her eldest  son had failed at university and lost his bursary, which had covered his tuition and living expenses. Through the S4T group, ‘Mampolokeng managed to pay for her son’s tuition and living expenses and today, her son is a university graduate; and in a powerful act of love and gratitude, he built his mother a new house with his own hands.

With her growing interest in farming, ‘Mampolokeng took out a small loan from the group and bought vegetable seeds and bought two indigenous chickens. She now grows cabbage that she sells to Neighbour's, neighbouring villages, and retailers. “Two hundred cabbage seedlings earn me M2,000” after sales, she shared. Her chicken flock has grown to 25 egg-laying hens, a source of food and income for her household.  For Mr. Potsane, the group’s only male member, the transformation is equally striking. His family of five used to live in a single room mud house; a harsh reality that forced them to sometimes seek shelter from neighbours. Since joining the S4T group, their situation has changed for the better.

Today, Mr. Potsane owns a six-room brickhouse, providing his family with a proper home and security. He is also engaged in farming, growing cabbage and tomatoes that he sells to generate a reliable income. “My dream is to own a big farm,” he shared, full of hope for the future.

But perhaps the most inspiring part of their journey is not what they have gained; it's what they plan to give back. This determined S4T group has set even bigger goals for themselves. Their collective dream is to continue saving more and supporting other struggling families within their community.  In Ha Maphohloane, transformation of lives is no longer just an individual achievement but a shared mission. Where there was once despair, there is now dignity, where children were once hungry and hopeless, children are now well-fed they now go to school with confidence, without fear of being sent home for unpaid fees, and parents sleep peacefully, knowing they have the means to support their families and plan for tomorrow.

Through the power of collective saving, training and belief in a better future, families in Ha Mapholoane are writing a new story of resilience, restoration and renewed hope.