At 64 years old, Mr. Ngassa Mlekwa from Beledi Village in Kishapu District never imagined he would become a business owner or a community leader. For years, his life was defined by uncertainty. Feeding his family, paying for medical care, and keeping his children in school felt like an impossible balancing act.
“Meeting our basic needs was a daily battle,” he recalls.
Like many households across Tanzania, Ngassa’s family was highly vulnerable to economic shocks, rising prices, and unpredictable climate conditions. His story reflects a wider reality: across Irish Aid-funded NOURISH programme areas, families are facing compounding pressures including drought, price volatility and livelihood insecurity, making resilience increasingly critical.
A turning point: from vulnerability to opportunity
Everything changed in 2024 when Ngassa attended a World Vision NOURISH training on savings groups. Inspired by what he learned, he joined nine others in his community to start the Amani group, a Savings for Transformation (S4T) group.
“I had never been part of a group like this before. I didn’t even know how to get a loan,” he says.
They began meeting every Saturday, each saving just TZS 2,000 (€0.65) weekly.
“We wanted to help ourselves and each other,” says Ngassa. At first, it was hard to find people who were truly committed, but the group worked together to overcome these challenges.
It was a small step but part of a much bigger transformation. Across NOURISH countries, savings groups are a central pillar of resilience, helping households access credit, manage financial shocks and avoid harmful coping strategies.
Through the group, Ngassa gained access to a loan from VisionFund. With it, he started a small petrol business, selling fuel in bottles to local motorcycle riders.
Today, he can earn up to TZS 50,000 (€16) a day.
Resilience in action
Mr. Ngassa smiles in front of his petrol selling business after securing a loan from Vision Fund
Ngassa’s business has changed how his family responds to shocks.
Where once they struggled daily, now they can plan, save and cope. This reflects a broader programme outcome: by the end of 2025, 75% of households supported by NOURISH now have at least one additional source of income, strengthening their ability to absorb and adapt to shocks.
His business is also a lifeline for his community. When motorcycle drivers need fuel to transport sick patients to the hospital, he often provides it on credit.
“Sometimes, motorcycle riders come to me for fuel when they need to take patients to the hospital. If they don’t have, I give them fuel on credit. They pay me back after treatment,” he says with pride.
This kind of local solution captures the essence of Irish Aid’s support; communities not only surviving shocks but supporting each other to recover.
From individual progress to collective impact
Despite challenges like late loan repayments within the group and growing competition, Ngassa stayed committed. His confidence grew alongside his income.
“Working together and following what we learned in training made a huge difference,” he shares.
Today, he is Chairperson of the Amani group.
His leadership reflects a wider shift seen across the programme: households equipped with financial skills, savings mechanisms and collective structures are better able to protect assets and recover sustainably over time.
But perhaps the most powerful part of his journey is what happened next.
Ngassa has helped two women in his community start their own savings groups and connect to finance, extending opportunity to others, including more vulnerable households.
“It feels good to help others,” he says.
“Through our savings group, I have learned how to save, manage my money better, and plan for my family’s future.” Pascaline, savings group member, Ngandu, Kimbanseke
Looking ahead: building resilience for the future
The Amani group has now completed its first savings cycle and is preparing for the next phase: investing in cotton farming on two hectares, with ambitions to earn up to TZS 7 million (€2,283).
This forward-looking planning reflects a core lesson from the NOURISH programme: resilience is built incrementally through diversified livelihoods, savings and collective action before prosperity becomes possible.
Ngassa’s journey shows how targeted support can transform lives:
“I thank World Vision Tanzania and the NOURISH Project,” he says, smiling. “Through the S4T group, I have learned to be confident, run a business, and move out of poverty.”