Future Planning for Child (FPC), through the Self-Health Group Approach Strategy, has trained 800 women in business and savings management.
 The women formed village savings groups of between 15 and 20 members each.
They save money in a group fund which is in turn loaned out to members at an interest.
FPC programme coordinator Amos Chindamba said the idea is to help them access capital to start small-scale businesses.
“FPC is interested in equipping women with knowledge and not just giving them financial handouts.
“If the knowledge gained is used, they will be economically empowered,†he said.
He said the women also learnt how to come up with business ideas and market their products.
One of the beneficiaries Suzgo Mbira said the loan she got from her group helped her to start fish business.
“I first borrowed K10 000 which I invested in usipa business. My business has grown big and I now able to borrow K55 000,†she said.
