July 24, 2025
News
Nineteen-year-old Nandima started a small poultry farm after finishing school. Thanks to the savings group in his village, he can regularly set aside money for chicken feed—and soon, he hopes, for university. Through these savings groups, Caritas Czech Republic spreads financial literacy and gives young people in Zambia a path toward entrepreneurship and greater financial security.
Savings groups open the way to a better future
Nandima lives with his parents in a village in southern Zambia. In 2023 he finished secondary school and dreams of entering university soon. Following his parents’ example, he joined a local savings group, where he learned how to manage money more wisely.
“When I earn money, I don’t spend it all right away – I set some aside to repay my loan,” he explains. The savings he builds with the group help him buy feed and other supplies for his chickens, whose prices have risen sharply in recent months.
Thanks to the savings group, Nandima can secure money for chicken feed, has improved his financial literacy and discipline, and is gradually saving for his university studies.
How savings groups work
In rural Zambia, people earn a living mainly through small-scale farming or microbusinesses – from food stalls to tailoring shops. To grow those ventures, they need capital, yet regular banking services are often out of reach.
That is why Caritas Czech Republic introduces savings groups, which act as simple “community banks.” Members meet weekly, deposit small amounts into a metal cashbox with three locks, and then borrow from the shared fund at a fair interest rate to pay school fees, buy seed, or expand a business. The interest stays in the group and further grows its savings.
Caritas Czech Republic trains group members in bookkeeping, sets up clear rules, and helps manage a social fund for unexpected expenses. It also supplies the necessary materials and provides mentoring during the first months. As a result, people without access to formal financial services gain a safe place to save and borrow, along with practical financial-literacy skills that help them stand on their own feet.
Caritas Czech Republic in Zambia
For more than a decade, Caritas Czech Republic has been improving lives in Zambia. Working with partners such as UNHCR and the Czech Development Agency, we focus on empowering refugees and vulnerable communities by providing skills training and livelihood support. Our efforts help individuals launch sustainable businesses and increase their chances of employment, fostering self-reliance and long-term development.
