Success Stories:

Masupa Nzila Women's Empowerment Group
Mongu - Western Province, Zambia

Organisational Background

In 2003, Women's Global Connection (WGC), a non-profit organization based in San Antonio, Texas, identified three women in Mongu district, Zambia under its cross-cultural leadership program. The names of the three women are Beatrice Matakala Simona, Lilian Mutoka Imbwae and Sanana Mbikusita Lewanika. For nearly a year, the three women shared their cultural leadership experiences with other women around the globe on the WGC website. In 2004, WGC invited the three women to first second international conference held in San Antonio, Texas. After that conference, the three women made a decision to reach out to grassroots women in Mongu district and therefore founded Masupa Nzila Women Empowerment Association. Masupa Nzila literally means ‘path finder.’ As an association, we aim to be a model for other women.

Membership

The Association has been in development since 2004. We currently have eleven active members who each have a small home business and participate in the group project of the commercial rice field. At present, the association is in its final stage in seeking registration as a formal recognized entity. All of the members are very actively engaged, and the planning and decision-making is done together as a group.

To date, the association has held four developmental workshops to strengthen their capacity as a group and in running a cooperative business. They are eager and committed to continue to develop as a strong group, modelling for other groups of women, and including other women’s groups in their planning workshops.

Vision Statement

Masupanzila Women Empowerment Association will be a source of support and empowerment to vulnerable women and their families.

Mission Statement

The mission of Masupanzila is to assist and strengthen vulnerable women in managing micro-enterprises in order to raise their standard of living and help sustain their families.

Objectives

• To empower women personally through working cooperatively
• To support one another in raising economic standard of living
• To cultivate the commercial rice field
• To sustain a revolving business loan fund for the members of the association

Mrs. Sanana. M. M. Lewanika

Chairperson

 

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