Gwantwa S. Mwakabonga

Gwantwa has been running a genge business since 2005. The Swahili word for this type of outside shop, or stall, is genge. A genge is usually a very basic structure made of wood, with a tin roof, which sells general items such as onions, tomatoes, chili, oil, rice, and dried fish. It is the kind of place local people usually send their children running to fetch something when they are in the middle of cooking the evening meal and don’t have time to go all the way to the market to buy the missing ingredient.

Gwantwa works at the business for one to four hours per day, six days per week. Gwantwa currently earns about 100 USD a month from her business. She is requesting a loan of 700 USD in order to purchase rice, soap, cooking oil, water and chewing gum in bulk. In the future, she plans to increase the quantity and range of the stock. Gwantwa thanks you for your support!

ABOUT SELFINA:
SELFINA has taken a lead role as a pioneer of micro-credit through micro-leasing in Tanzania. The organization is engaged in the economic empowerment of women and uses the provision of a leasing and leaseback microfinance facility. Customs and traditions in Tanzania make it difficult for women to own land and assets; thus they are deemed non-creditworthy by financial institutions. This leads to poor access to basic needs and services for women with low incomes. One of the primary advantages of micro-leasing is that it allows clients to use the equipment as collateral for future loans with SELFINA, enabling them to borrow larger sums in the future.