Written by Edilson Guambe, Project Coordinator at Solidaridad
Before joining the P2P Tea project, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by Solidaridad (Southern Africa), Flávia Mboa Mutipo faced the same challenges as many small scale producers in her community. She had no reliable access to finance, which meant she could not buy enough goods to grow her business. Her store remained limited, and so did her income.
Without training in financial management, planning and tracking money was difficult. Income came in irregularly and rarely covered all household expenses. Like many others, she sometimes relied on informal loans, which brought added pressure and risk.
This combination kept her family in a cycle that was hard to break. The turning point came when Flávia joined the Brigada savings group, formed through Solidaridad’s work in the area. The group brought together local producers, creating a space for saving, learning and mutual support.
I am very grateful to Solidaridad for the continuous support, they have changed my life and my family’s future.
FláVIA MBOA MUTIPO
Through regular meetings and training sessions, Flávia began to build new skills. She learned how to budget, manage stock and plan for her business. Just as importantly, she started saving small amounts consistently. Over time, those savings opened the door to something she had never had before: access to credit she could manage herself.
Using small loans from the group, Flávia began to invest in her shop. She added more products, improved her stock and slowly increased her sales. With each cycle of saving, borrowing and repaying, her confidence grew. Today, she no longer depends on loans to keep her business running. Her store generates enough income to sustain itself and support her family.
“Before, I had nothing. Solidaridad registered us, organized us into groups and taught us to save. With those savings, I was able to get loans for my business, start stocking my stall and repay the amounts. Now, I don’t need to borrow anymore; I have my own funds to manage everything.” says Flávia.
This change has had a direct impact on her household. Flávia can now provide regular meals for her children and cover school expenses, including uniforms and materials. Financial stability has also strengthened her role in decisionmaking at home.
Beyond her family, her progress is influencing others. Her success has encouraged more people in the community to join savings groups and take control of their finances. What started as a personal journey is now part of a wider shift toward economic participation and cooperation.
Her shop also contributes to the local economy, creating small trading opportunities and making goods more accessible within the community. Flávia is not stopping here. She plans to expand her business, diversify her products and explore new income opportunities. She is also committed to sharing her experience with other women, helping them see what is possible.
Her journey shows how access to savings, knowledge and support can reshape lives. In Gurue, change is not coming all at once. It is growing through people like Flávia, one decision, one lesson, and one investment at a time.