Making Dreams a Reality: Village Savings & Lending in Malawi

In Uganda, they’re called table banks; in Tanzania, self-help groups; in Malawi, village savings and loan groups; and in Bangladesh, primary groups. These groups are part of a growing movement around the world to make financial services available to the poorest of the poor. Savings groups offer a safe place to keep money and are a way to provide access to small loans not available through other means.

In Uganda, they’re called table banks; in Tanzania, self-help groups; in Malawi, village savings and loan groups; and in Bangladesh, primary groups. These groups are part of a growing movement around the world to make financial services available to the poorest of the poor. Savings groups offer a safe place to keep money and are a way to provide access to small loans not available through other means.