Merry-Go-Round Savings

I’m Miriam Neff and I’m Valerie Neff Hogan with Wise Women Managing Money.

M Being a widow in Kenya often means poverty.  Few help them so they are learning to help each other. 

V We talked with widows who’ve formed what they call a Merry-Go-Round.  They meet regularly and each puts a designated amount of shillings in their savings bag.  This may be less than a dollar, but the savings accumulate.  Each month the savings go to a different widow in a prescribed order.  She buys food, pays a school fee; depending on her needs. She might even invest in a business.  They may be selling from their garden, cooking for someone, or earning a little bit. 

M Imagine the sense of community these widows develop.  Imagine the example they set for others in poverty. God sees, God blesses.