Empower 600 Women in Ghana with Microcredit Loans

When Comfort lost her husband, life became a daily struggle for her and her five children. In Ghana's Ashanti Region, the family system often relies on men to provide, but Comfort had to step into that role herself, determined to put food on the table.

For years, Comfort scraped by as a petty trader in Kwaso, a community in Ashanti Region, selling whatever she could. But in 2007, her life took a transformative turn when she discovered Self-Help International (SHI). 

Comfort began with small loans to expand her trading business, moving from selling items on a table to operating a fufu machine. She invested in bulk trading of gari (cassava flakes) and Asante rice (a local rice) and eventually ventured into farming, cultivating cassava and maize.

With the income from these businesses, she was able to send three of her children to school while the other two pursued vocational training. Today, all her children are thriving and supporting her.

Through hard work and wise investment, Comfort's business flourished. She took additional loans to grow her businesses and, in 2019, saved enough to purchase land. This woman, who once struggled to pay rent, is now the proud owner of a three-bedroom house. Her dedication and perseverance have provided a secure, comfortable home for her family.

"Since 2007, I have benefited greatly from SHI's microcredit loan scheme. Thank you to SHI and its partners for supporting us," Comfort expressed. "The loans have been a game-changer, allowing me to grow my business, educate my children, and build a home for my family. I am forever grateful for the opportunity."

Comfort's story is a shining example of how access to financial support can empower individuals to build better lives for themselves and their families. By providing small loans to entrepreneurs like Comfort, SHI empowers women to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their goals. Comfort's success not only benefits her family but also contributes to the economic development of her community. 

In October 2019, Mary, a mother of three from the small village of Abompe in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, received her first loan of GHS 200 ($12.53) from Self-Help International’s Micro-Credit Program. With this loan, she took a bold step toward a better future by starting her own business—a humble wooden shop selling basic provisions.

At the time, life was difficult for Mary. Her small earnings from the shop barely covered the needs of her family. But with determination and the support of Self-Help International, things began to change. Over the next three years, through business training, continued access to loans, and regular guidance from the Self-Help team, Mary steadily grew her business. She started stocking goods that were hard to find in her community, quickly becoming a trusted supplier for her neighbors.

Fast forward to today, and Mary’s life looks completely different. No longer working from just a small wooden shop, she now runs a full-sized, well-stocked shop—the only one of its kind in Abompe. Her business is thriving, her customer base has grown, and she has built a steady and reliable income for her family.

“I never thought I would get here,” Mary says, standing proudly in her shop. “When I started, I didn’t believe I could grow my business this much. But with Self-Help’s support, I learned to dream bigger.”

Today, Mary is doing better than she ever imagined. She no longer worries about feeding her children or paying their school fees. In fact, she has expanded her responsibilities, now caring for her younger brother in addition to her five children. She is already thinking about the next steps—further expanding her business and maybe even hiring others from her community.

As we celebrate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Mary’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people are given the opportunity and support they need to succeed. Self-Help International’s Micro-Credit Program didn’t just help Mary start a business—it helped her break free from the cycle of poverty. The combination of financial assistance, business training, and ongoing mentorship empowered her to create lasting change for herself and her family.

What started as a modest GHS 200 ($12.53) loan has grown into something much bigger. Mary’s success is a beacon of hope for others in her community. She shows her neighbors what’s possible when you have the right tools and the confidence to believe in a better future.

But this story isn’t just about Mary—it’s about you. Her success is possible because of donors like you who believe in community-based solutions to poverty. Your generosity is transforming lives, lifting families out of poverty, and creating lasting change in rural communities.

Mary’s thriving store is a testament to the power of small acts of kindness and support. And with your continued help, many more people like Mary will have the opportunity to escape poverty and build a brighter future.

Thank you for making stories like Mary’s possible. Together, we are moving closer to a world without poverty—one empowered individual at a time.