Mulalo Mbedzi is a 20-year-old mother and a member of Pfanelo Savings Group. Before joining the group, Mulalo and her young son faced serious social and economic hardships. Her husband left and travelled to Johannesburg in search of work, leaving her alone with her one-year-and-six-month-old baby boy. With no income and no savings, Mulalo struggled to provide food and basic care for her child. She was forced to return to her mother’s home to protect her child from hunger and neglect.
In November 2024, Mulalo joined Pfanelo Savings Group to improve her situation and secure a better future for her child. Through the group, she attended weekly meetings, saved regularly, and received training on money management and small business planning. These activities enabled her to have confidence to take a loan and take steps toward supporting her child.
Mulalo received a loan of R6,000, which she invested in a poultry project. She raised broiler chickens and sold them successfully. She repaid the loan and interest on time and continued the business with additional loans from the group. The poultry project now provides regular income for her household.
As a result of this income, now Mulalo can consistently buy food, pampers, and porridge for her child. Her child’s nutrition and daily care have improved, and Mulalo no longer depends fully on her family for support. The savings group has strengthened Mulalo’s ability to respond to her child’s needs and plan for the future.
Today, Mulalo is a more confident and capable caregiver, much better than the life she lived before joining the SHG. She has a clear goal to build her own house, which will provide a safe and stable home for her child. This story shows how savings groups contribute to improved child well-being by strengthening household income, caregiving capacity, and resilience.