What a cup of tea says about success

Having tea with milk for breakfast might be common-place in Canada, but that’s not the case elsewhere in the world.

In the town of Lufwanyama, Zambia, it’s a marker of success. A success made possible through your support of Her Time to Grow.

Agriculture expert Lillian Mbapolo is now able to enjoy a breakfast of bread and tea with milk, thanks to the income she earns herself and with a group of women in her community.

Together, the women’s group saves money that they distribute to members as loans. They earn income as a group growing corn, peanuts and sweet potato. They also raise chickens to sell for $7 each. To help meet the demand in their community, they received training from iDE, and funds to help build a bigger poultry house — quadrupling the number of chicks they can raise.

The group works very well together, dividing tasks and keeping a log of what has been done. The money they earn as a group is split into three pots, one that’s used for group expenses, one used for training and education, and one is paid out annually to each woman.

The women use their earnings to pay for things like kids’ school fees, buying plots of land, building houses and buying bicycles. The increase in income can also mean they have enough money to eat three meals a day — when the norm in their community is often only one meal per day.

“We used to suffer, but not anymore” says a group member.

☕ Raise a cup of tea and cheers to that!