Photo: right and quote - Victoria, a Five Talents Team member
"I have learned to wash my hands before coming to the Group, to observe social distance and not to shake hands. I am now proud to stand in the community and teach them these preventative health measures”.
Five Talents is incredibly grateful that through the 大象传媒 Radio 4 Appeal we were able to raise over £21,690 together. Despite the devastations of COVID-19, just like in the UK, we have seen the strength and resilience of communities in their support for each other. Savings Groups remain ‘together’ as they set up social funds to help those struggling financially; share information they have received about COVID-19 from our trainers in the wider community and sometimes, have taken loans to help their businesses adapt to this ‘new normal’.
One member adapting to this ‘new normal’ is Victoria in South Sudan.
This year Victoria joined a Five Talents Savings Group and received training on saving and loaning as a community. Victoria took a loan from her Group to start a small food kiosk in her community. She cooks local dishes with meat, rice and beans. Each week, Victoria makes a profit of around £26 which helps her feed her family, pay for school fees for her children and buy medication when they are sick.
In addition to supporting her family, Victoria has learned the habit of saving for unexpected events. Her savings and her Savings Group have been helping her family during the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can find out more about our charity.