A Story of Change: From Harmful Tradition to Sustainable Livelihoods: How Kamara Women 1st Village Saving Earned Them Thousands of Dollars
JEC Project Giving Rural Women Economic Freedom
Forty-five Kamara Town Women never imagined that they could ever get close to becoming thousands of United States or Liberian dollars or owning such money as a group.
In Kpo-River, rural Montserrado County, from sowing a seed of $2,000 United States Dollars in 2025 that kicked off the group first Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA), just in its first year, the women raise $769,655 Liberian Dollars; an equivalent $4,205 United States Dollars; two times more than the initial capital that was donated by ActionAid and SIDA to them.
In Kamara Town, ActionAid introduction of the VSLA was not just a time of women putting together their money in saving in a box, but has been a quiet, life transforming initiative that has allowed the women and beneficiaries to take charge of their economic futures abandon harmful traditional practices, Female Genital Mutilation.
The women described the successful completion of the village saving and amount of money they were able shift their lives and increase their confidence and put money in their hands now making them economically empowered to educate their children and address other financial needs.
“We thank SIDA and ActionAid. The village saving did so many things for us. Mary Scott, Kamara Town General Town Chief said during the distribution of the fund.
She added “Some of us, our children where not even in school, but through this village saving, our children are now in school. And also right now, the women are selling and it has empowered them.” Mary testified saying.
Another member and beneficiary of the Village saving Vivian Kamukai, said that her life has become better than what it was before joining the VSLA. “From the beginning I was not doing anything, but now the VSLA made me serious. Vivian said.
“I now am able to save my own money and take care of my family unlike in times past when life was so hard for me.” She added.
For the women of Kpo, River Kamara Town Women, they change they have experience could not have been so had not ActionAid with support from the Just and Equal Community Project (JEC) with funding from SIDA been made possible.
For decades, FGM had been practiced in Kamara Town largely as a source of income for women who served as practitioners. The practice, deeply rooted in tradition, also functioned as an economic activity, creating financial dependence that made abandoning it difficult. Recognizing that ending FGM requires more than awareness alone, ActionAid Liberia, in partnership with the Liberia Women Empowerment Network (LIWEN), introduced the VSLA model as an alternative livelihood strategy one that replaces harmful income sources with sustainable and dignified economic opportunities.
The VSLA initiative brought together 49 women beneficiaries, many of whom were former FGM practitioners. Through collective savings, small loans, and shared accountability, the women began to build financial resilience within their community. As a direct result of this economic empowerment effort, 60 percent of the women who previously practiced FGM have now transitioned away from the practice, choosing instead to rely on income generated through VSLA-supported activities such as petty trading, farming, and small-scale businesses.
"ActionAid and SIDA are so proud of you and indeed the saying is true that; teach a person how to fish because when you team them, you don't have to always give them fish and today we can clearly see the evident that you can now fish for yourselves." Madam Johnson gladly told the women.
She further thanked the women, for not just ended the VSLA successfully, but she reminded them that the success from the group has become a part of lessons learnt and will become a part of ways to replicate the village saving and Loan program across other ActionAid Programs or intervention area, given evident of the impact in their community.
"When you teach people how to fish, they go out and help other people how to fish right? She asked and the women responded in infirmity.
Madam Johnson then assured the women that, that is exactly the approach ActionAid Liberia will continue to explore in its work with women across AAL project communities moving forward.
Dressed in beautiful Liberian cultural attire, young children dance and made amazing moves, while their months stood by celebrating the gains.
Almost 50% of women who are beneficiaries of the village are single mothers. They told ActionAid that their financial success is also the success of their children, and the community at large as ActionAid and its partners with funding from SIDA has not shifted their lives more positively through the JEC projec.
The JEC Project, implemented by ActionAid Liberia, focuses on promoting justice, equality, and human rights, particularly for women and girls in marginalized communities. Central to the project is the understanding that harmful practices like FGM are sustained by social norms, poverty, and lack of economic options. By addressing these root causes, the JEC Project empowers women not only to earn an income but also to reclaim their agency, dignity, and role as change-makers in their communities.
Economic empowerment has proven to be a powerful tool in shifting attitudes and behaviors in Kamara Town. As women gain access to savings and credit, they reduce their dependence on harmful traditional practices for survival. The VSLA has also strengthened solidarity among the women, fostering collective decision-making and mutual support. Beyond financial gains, the initiative has increased awareness of women’s rights, health, and the long-term impacts of FGM on girls and communities.
The success of Kamara Town’s first VSLA demonstrates that when women are given viable economic alternatives, meaningful change is possible. What began as a small savings group has evolved into a symbol of hope and progress showing that communities can preserve their identity while letting go of practices that harm women and girls.
As the women of Kamara Town continue to grow their savings and businesses, their journey stands as a powerful example of how targeted empowerment initiatives can break cycles of harm and poverty. Through the JEC Project, ActionAid Liberia and its partners are not only supporting livelihoods but also helping communities write a new story one rooted in equality, opportunity, and lasting change.