Impact Assessment Report of Village Savings & Loans Component (VS&L)

This report presents the findings of the impact assessment of the Village Savings and Loans (VS&L) component of CARE Malawi's Central Region Livelihood Security Project (CRLSP). The report presents the following information about the impact assessment:

• The assessment was carried out from June 13, 2005 to July 2, 2005 within five Traditional Authorities;
• The study reviewed and documented the impact of the VS&L program since inception, and assessed how the impact on women translates into improved household welfare.

The study also presents the following findings about the VS&L program:

• The program helped alleviate poverty and improve the welfare of women members;
• Participants moved from the very poor and poor categories to the upper categories of moderate and better off;
• VS&L participants had more food than non-participants because they augmented their farm produce with income from other economic activities;
• The number of economic activities of members increased and they moved away from low status and low-income engagements;
• The most common source of capital for the members was the VS&L itsel;
• Savings went up and participants were wealthier than non-participants;
• The programs financial services were targeted at female members;
• Participants believed that they had more confidence, dressed better, had better houses, more household goods and better access to land after participating in the program.

The report concludes by recommending marketing support, education and training to the participants.