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In rural Mali, Miama sells rice to support her family. Until recently, this has been a major strain. But now, thanks to both a micro loan and the group support Miama receives from Freedom from Hunger’s Benkadi Tongorongo association, Miama no longer has to worry.

She and her husband are responsible for earning the money, but is is Miama that buys food for her household of seven. Until recently, this has been a major strain. But now, thanks to both a microloan and the group support Miama receives from Freedom from Hunger’s Benkadi Tongorongo association, Miama no longer has to worry. She’s building a thriving business and even has extra money to spend on her family. The Benkadi Tongorongo association is part of the Kondo Jigima Credit with Education programme, which gives micro loans and free health education to women like Miama. Through the association, women pay back loans with small installments of about US$5 a week and have access to both the group support and the savings system the programme offers. According to Miama, the loans, support, and tools her group share at weekly meetings are the reason for her great success. Now, thanks to Freedom from Hunger, her income – and the well-being of her family – is steadily growing.