In the remote regions of Kayes and Sikasso, where economic uncertainty is a part of daily life, a quiet but powerful transformation is happening. At the center of this revolution are Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), locally known as Associations Villageoises d’Épargne et de Crédit. These grassroots financial cooperatives are becoming a lifeline, especially for women, offering them a path to empowerment, stability, and hope.
In places where access to traditional banks is rare, VSLAs are stepping in to fill the gap. Women who once had no financial tools now have the power to save, borrow, and invest in their futures. By pooling their resources, members gain access to funds for everything from buying farming tools and paying school fees to covering medical expenses.
Take the village of Saliambougou in Kayes, for example. There, two women’s groups have become shining examples of what financial solidarity can achieve. Supported by Global Affairs Canada, these groups have not only improved their incomes but also contributed to greater food security through gardening initiatives and access to microcredit.
One standout success has been the creation of a community vegetable garden. Women now grow nutritious food for their families, reducing their dependence on unpredictable market prices. It’s a big step toward self-sufficiency, and a bold stride toward resilience in a region where agriculture is life. But the transformation doesn’t stop there.
To address the daily challenge of collecting water—a task that overwhelmingly falls on women and girls—the initiative, under the Integrated Fight Against Chronic Malnutrition in Mali, has also invested in critical infrastructure. A newly constructed water tower now supplies clean drinking water, not only to the garden, but to the entire village. In an area where drilling often fails because of dry aquifers, this is more than a technical achievement—it’s a triumph of persistence and innovation.
The ripple effect on community health has been immediate. In a region where waterborne diseases like diarrhea are a leading cause of illness in children under five, access to safe water is already making a visible difference. Healthier kids, cleaner homes, and fewer hospital visits speak volumes about the life-changing power of clean water.
The project has gone even further, enhancing local infrastructure with:
In nearby Biramabougou, the power of VSLAs was also on full display, when the local Sababougnouma group wrapped up a savings cycle with a fund distribution totaling 2,022,200 CFA francs—about $4,500 CAD. But this wasn’t just a financial milestone. It was a celebration of what’s possible when women come together with a shared purpose. It was about trust, perseverance, and community pride.
More than just economic tools, VSLAs are shifting the social landscape. Women who once had little say in household or community decisions are now managing finances, leading projects, and inspiring others. They are becoming the engines of progress in their villages.
The stories of Saliambougou and Biramabougou offer a blueprint for what’s possible in rural development—not just in Mali, but across regions facing similar challenges. Through collective savings and a shared vision, these women are forging a path to economic independence and social dignity.
None of this would be possible without the vital support of Global Affairs Canada whose partnership has been key to transforming dreams into action.
As the women of the region say: a niche a ni baradji!
(“Thank you very much, and may God bless you” in Bambara.)
The Integrated Fight Against Chronic Malnutrition in Mali project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, helps Malian women increase their autonomy, decision-making authority, and economic resilience—a critical step in reducing chronic malnutrition in households and communities. Learn more.
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