Several women fishmongers in Robertsports and its surroundings in Liberia have begun to feel the impact of a village savings and loan program, being organized and implemented by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) with support from the European Union (EU).
The village savings and loan program is intended to help women fishmongers in coastal communities expand their businesses, so as to improve their lives sustainably.
The women narrated with excitement that the loan program has empowered them to improve their fish businesses to support their families.
“We are very happy today and would like to thank the EU, through the EJF. We have used the loans to repair fishing canoes and other aspects of the business to support our families,” said some of the beneficiaries, who preferred to remain anonymous.
One of them said, “I took a loan of L$20,000 and, with the amount, I was able to repair my canoe, and expand the business to send my children to school.”
“Business has been very difficult, prior to joining this program,” another beneficiary added. “I took L$15,000 which I used to improve my business. Today, I have close to L$ 35,000.00 in profits accrued as a result of the loan invested. I am very impressed by this initiative.”
The women used the occasion to encourage other women to take advantage of the program to improve their lives.
Read more:
https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-ejf-village-savings-loan-impacts-women-fishmongers