Participatory Development Associates (PDA), in partnership with Beyond Beans and SOCAM 5C, are implementing the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) and Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) [VSLA-GALS] project in 7 selected cocoa growing communities in Cameroon. The seven project communities are Mbele, Ekekom, Bilon, Ekoumdouma, Nkole Ekui, Minkama, Endama. The VSLA-GALS project aims to establish 10 functional groups in selected communities, benefiting 250-300 cocoa farmers and empowering them through the GALS methodology to promote women’s economic empowerment and a sustained savings culture with self-managed micro-credit support.
11 VSLA groups which were established under the project with a total membership of 280 farmers (111 males and 169 females) have successfully completed their first cycle. 18 new groups have been established after the share out of the initial 11 groups, which brings the total number of groups under the project to 29.