MASYAP’s youth microfinance scheme gives young women who are no longer in school, many of them young mothers, the training and capital to start a business.
How it started
MASYAP launched a pilot in March 2016 with 26 girls from around Blantyre and Thyolo. Each received business training and a loan of MWK 15,000 (around $20 at the time). The pilot achieved its aims, but the scheme paused for lack of funding.
Revived in 2019
In October 2019, Steadfast Ways visited MASYAP, met the girls and heard their stories. They donated MK800,000 to revive the scheme, and 20 girls from five youth groups received loans. As each group completes its cycle, a new group of girls is recruited.
Why it matters
The loans give girls a route to independence and a productive way to spend their time, while increasing their income and their confidence. Today, young mothers from our youth groups also take part in our main microfinance programme and its training.
