It starts with a small weekly saving and ends with a stove she built herself.
In Bidibidi Settlement, five savings groups are learning to build energy-saving stoves and press carbonised briquettes, then sell them to neighbours who would otherwise burn firewood.
How a savings group becomes a small business
Each group has up to 30 members, refugees and host community neighbours together. They do not wait for a grant. They start with their own savings, and the project builds on top of it.
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Save together
Members put money aside every week, including a small amount set apart for the project.
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Get matched
Our partner programme, THEA, matches the group's savings so the group can buy equipment and materials.
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Learn the craft
Members are trained in building stoves and making briquettes, then produce at their own sites.
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Sell and repay
Groups focus on production while WCI handles marketing. As loans are repaid, the money is passed on to the next groups.
What the groups have made so far
141
people trained, 100 women and 41 men
348
energy-saving stoves built
4504kg
of carbonised briquettes produced
Why the split of roles matters
In earlier projects, groups had to produce and market their goods, and marketing was the hardest part. Now the groups put their energy into production, and WCI runs the cooking demonstrations, finds buyers and handles distribution.
The result shows in the skills. Group members now solve production problems themselves, and they train newcomers without outside help.
See the program
Skills training sits alongside learning opportunities for women and girls across Bidibidi.