ASAP FO, Nellie Chisale sensitizing communities at Kabwatika in Chikwawa

Internal Savings and Lending (IS&L) is a micro-finance project that increases household income. With a focus on women, ASAP is currently working to enhance the quality of life for over 31,000 families in Zimbabwe and Malawi using this simple, effective methodology.

Bookeeping is an important part of rural savings clubs

The project consists of training self-selected savings groups of 5-20 people who agree on by-laws, savings schedule and amounts plus loan terms and interest rates.  At regularly scheduled meetings, each member contributes the agreed amount into the savings pot.  One or more members borrow from the pooled savings and it is usually repaid at the next meeting, with interest.  Loan interest and the regular saving contributions accumulate with each meeting until most or all members are borrowing each month.  Usually groups agree on the length of their club operating cycle, and at the end, the accumulated amount is divided equally among the group members. Groups are free to wait before starting again, to add more members, to change members or to dissolve the group completely.

To read more details about how the IS&L project works Click here.

These women will share the pride of self reliance and success through ASAP's IS&L projects in rural Africa

Local ownership is the key to the project success. In eastern Zimbabwe, participants named their project Kufusa Mari which means "Save for the Future" in the Shona language. In the Chichewa language, widely spoken in southern Malawi, the project has been given the name Chimvano Pa Chuma "Unity for Economic Growth".

To read more about ASAP's IS&L projects since 2001 Click here.

Training is sometimes held in unused classrooms

The IS&L project strengthens communities as members come together on a regular basis for savings club activities. ASAP adds value to these regular meetings by introducing new skills and knowledge to the community very cost effectively. For example, during the deadly Cholera outbreak in 2008 in Zimbabwe, all ASAP field staff learned and shared techniques with savings club members on how to prevent transmission of Cholera, how to identify the disease and the steps to take.  This saved lives.  The knowledge that ASAP shares with members during savings club meetings cascades deeply into the community, reaching the most remote families.

Market gardening, or buying and selling produce, is a popular way to raise funds

In rural Africa women are responsible for ensuring the provision of most household needs. They carry a heavy responsibility to ensure the family members, especially children, get enough food, clothing, blankets, proper health care, educational requirements and shelter. Proper care for children is at the heart of every mother. The IS&L project improves lives of these women in material ways. Many women have their very own money for the first time in their lives; a new, powerful, life-changing experience. To read more about the many immeasurable project benefits click here.