The UNCDF Tanzania Refugee Access to Finance programme aims to enable refugees to access financial services through informal savings groups and develop their financial know-how through financial capability and digital literacy.

26 year-old Ashura, arrived at Nyarugusu refugee camp in the western region of Tanzania, 20 years ago, with 65,000 other Congolese refugees escaping civil war.

“I braid women’s hair in the camp for money. For now, that’s the only way for me to earn an income. There are very few ways to earn a living in the camp, I just do what I can to survive,” said Ashura.

Due to the encampment policy in Tanzania’s refugee camps, Ashura is unable to leave the camp and seek formal employment. With the added barrier of no government-issued ID, she is also unable to access formal financial services which would allow her to open a bank account, save or take a loan. What income she does earn by braiding hair, she saves with her local savings group.

The name of the savings group is ”Umoja” which means unity in Swahili. “It’s a suitable name you know, I trust all the members in the group. Saving together with other people makes it easier,” Ashura assures.

Being part of Umoja allows Ashura to keep her money in a safe place while also learning about money management. The weekly deposits are placed in a safety box with three padlocks which require three different keys – each placed with a different group member - to be opened. The alternative for Ashura would be to save money in her house, an option that is not as safe and could be too easily accessed and used, or even stolen.

Thanks to the savings group, she is now focused on setting aside a small amount of money every week. Allowing her to eventually buy hair products for her business.

“I used to walk these paths and think that this was the best I could do. The savings group has given me hope that I can create a better life for myself and my family.”

Although Ashura still has a long way to reach her goal, joining a savings group is the first step to a more stable economic future.