Rose Alabonu from Pooligo describes the training as a turning point in how she manages her finances and plans. Before the training, she used to save small amounts, such as GHC 10.00, to buy a goat. However, when she withdrew her savings, it was never enough to purchase the goat, so she had to put her plans on hold. The training helped her develop a clear savings plan, and she is now saving systematically to eventually buy the goat.

Rose also faced challenges with mobile money (MoMo) transactions. She used to go to vendors and verbally provide her transaction code in front of others, which often led to her losing her money. Through the training, she learned to memorize her Mobile money account code and handle transactions herself, entering the number directly on the phone. This simple change has significantly reduced her losses and improved her financial security.

Overall, the training empowered Rose to protect her savings, plan for asset acquisition, and adopt safer practices in handling mobile money, strengthening both her financial discipline and confidence in managing her resources.

NB: The Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) is pleased that its partnership with the KGL foundation has created this impact.

Abalayine, a groundnut paste and kulikuli processor from Zuarungu Zono, participated in the business and financial literacy training organised by the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) in partnership with the KGL foundation. Prior to the training, she relied heavily on taking ground nuts on credit. After sales, she often struggled to repay her suppliers and frequently ended the day without any profit, keeping her business trapped in a cycle of debt.

Through the training, Abalayine learned the importance of separating business capital from sales revenue. She now sets aside money daily to repay her suppliers and reinvests part of her earnings into purchasing additional ground nuts. As a result, she has increased her savings and can now pay up to half of the cost of her groundnuts upfront, significantly reducing her dependence on credit and strengthening her bargaining position with suppliers.

In addition to improving her business practices, Abalayine used her VSLA share-out savings to purchase a goat as a productive asset, providing long-term financial security for her household.

The training also addressed personal well-being and self-care. Abalayine previously suffered from severe waist pain due to long hours of work without rest. After learning about the importance of rest and simple daily exercises, she adopted healthier routines. She reports that her waist pain has reduced significantly, allowing her to work more comfortably and remain productive.

Abalayine describes the training as transformative, helping her transition from survival-based trading to a more stable, growing business while also improving her physical well-being and overall quality of life.

This story demonstrates how practical financial skills combined with health awareness can break debt cycles and support sustainable livelihoods.

Christiana Abugiya from Zuarungu-Daboore participated in the financial literacy and business management training organised by the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) in partnership with the KGL foundation. Before the training, she often spent her daily sales income to meet her children’s immediate demands and struggled to plan how to use her savings when she received them. She also saved with only one VSLA group and lacked a clear financial direction.

Through the training, the leaky pot analogy helped Christiana identify unnecessary expenses and strengthen her spending discipline. As a result, she expanded her savings efforts, increasing her participation from one VSLA group to four. During the share-out period, she used part of her savings to purchase a goat, which she intends to grow as a productive asset.

Christiana also invested in improving her household stability by resuming construction of a house left unfinished after her husband’s death. She is now gradually completing the building and plans to move in with her children once it is finished, providing them with a secure, stable home.

In addition, the training positively influenced her business practices. Previously, she frequently closed her shop to attend funerals and other social events, leading to lost income. Today, she keeps her shop open consistently. When she needs to attend social functions, she waits for her children to return from school so she can help manage the shop, ensuring uninterrupted business operations and steady income.

Christiana describes the training as empowering and life-changing, helping her gain control over her finances, strengthening her business discipline, and building long-term security for her family.

This story highlights how improved financial discipline can translate into stronger livelihoods and household stability.

Akolpoka from Zuarungu Kantia participated in the financial literacy, asset-building, and mental health training organised by the Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM). Before the training, she struggled with consistent saving and found it difficult to plan for her children’s future, particularly in supporting their transition to tertiary education.

Initially, Akolpoka saved GHS 5 per week, but she felt discouraged as the amount seemed insignificant. She later increased her savings to GHS 10, yet still saw limited progress. Through the training, she learned the value of consistency and gradual growth, which motivated her to further increase her weekly savings to GHS 20.

Using her savings, Akolpoka invested in poultry, growing her assets from one fowl to nine chickens. She later sold two fowls to meet household needs and currently maintains seven, providing both income and financial security.

The training also addressed physical and mental well-being. Akolpoka, a market labourer, previously struggled with mobility and found walking difficult due to physical strain. After adopting the daily exercises introduced during the training and receiving health screenings, she reports feeling physically stronger, mentally refreshed, and better able to handle her daily work.

Today, Akolpoka is confident in her ability to save, invest, and plan for her family’s future. She now looks forward to using her growing savings to acquire valuable assets and better support her household.

This story shows how small, consistent savings can lead to meaningful, lasting change.

Before the training, Felicia saved small amounts with her savings group, but without a clear plan or goal. When she later withdrew her savings, she initially intended to invest in charcoal trading. However, when the amount was insufficient, she adapted her plan, using the skills she had gained from the training, and invested in two fowls instead.

This decision proved transformative. The fowls multiplied and produced six chicks, gradually building a small but reliable asset base. When her grandchild returned from senior high school and needed financial support, Felicia sold some of the fowls and used the proceeds to pay for school-related expenses. For the first time, she did not have to depend on her children for support.

The training also had a significant impact on Felicia’s health and well-being. She previously suffered from persistent knee pain and relied on ointments for temporary relief. Through the physical wellness and yoga exercises introduced during the training, she began practicing the routines regularly at home. Over time, the knee pain reduced significantly, and she now moves with greater ease and confidence.

Felicia has since shared the exercises with her sister, who was also experiencing knee and waist pain. Her sister has reported noticeable improvements, further extending the training’s impact beyond Felicia’s household.

Today, Felicia feels more confident, financially independent, and physically stronger. The training helped her understand that even small savings, when invested purposefully, can grow into assets that support education, health, and household resilience.

This is the power of purposeful saving and holistic empowerment.