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SILCS IN ACTION: MWANGALA MATONGO'S PATH TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND COMMUNITY GROWTH
© WWF Zambia

Meet Mwangala Matongo, a dedicated Kalobolewa Village Action Group community member under the Sesheke Community Resources Board in the Silowana Complex. Her journey towards empowering her community began in 2018 when she joined the Village Action Group (VAG) within the CRB. Before joining the VAG, Mwangala often had to travel to Namibia in search of work to support her family. However, her situation started to improve after she became a VAG member. In 2019, she was appointed treasurer of her group and participated in a financial management training under the “Conservation of Natural Resources and Food Security through Strengthening and Consolidation of Sustainable Agriculture” in the KAZA Area of Zambia Project implemented by WWF Zambia.
During her training, Mwangala and others learned how to establish Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILCs), which are community-based financial groups designed to provide financial services to members, particularly in underserved or low-income areas. SILCs operate on a group savings model where members pool their savings and offer each other loans from this collective fund. Her involvement in Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILCs) was driven by a desire to create economic opportunities not only for herself but also for those around her.

© WWF Zambia
As she successfully established six SILC groups, her dedication to financial empowerment became evident. However, in 2019, her focus shifted to a deeply personal challenge, her daughter, Mercy Mundia, who wanted to pursue a higher education. Mercy had completed her secondary education that year, and later secured a place in a nursing programme at Elyon College of Applied Sciences in Lusaka with a 50% bursary in 2020. Mwangala now faced the difficult task of finding the remaining funds to support her daughter's dreams.

Remembering her savings in the SILC groups, she borrowed K4,500 from her group at a 10% interest
rate over seven months, enabling her to pay the balance of her daughter’s tuition each semester.
Over the next three years, Mwangala continued to finance her daughter’s education through borrowing and repaying SILC loans. Her daughter recently graduated in October 2024 from Elyon College of Applied Sciences in Lusaka.
 
Mercy Mundia graduated in October 2024
© WWF Zambia

“Joining the Village Action Group changed my life. Through SILCs, I’ve been able to support my daughter’s education and help my community save securely. It’s about more than just money—it’s about building a future together.” – Mwangala Matongo

Mwangala’s inspiration story is a beautiful story about the power of SILCs. These community-based savings and lending groups allow members to save together, take loans from their shared fund, and support one another in times of need.  In 2023, her group managed to share out K38,500. 
SILCs foster financial independence, and community accountability, and help individuals make informed financial decisions without relying on traditional banks. Through WWF Zambia’s support, Mwangala and others have gained the tools to transform their lives and communities.