b'asked & answered WEALTH OF CHANGEThe women of the Abihuje farmers group meet regularly to discuss their experiences, learn from each other, conduct business and contribute to their collective savings. How Can a LoanPHOTOS BY JACQUES NKINZINGABOChange a Life?By Alyssa Cogan, World Ark managing editorTHURSDAYS ARE FOR DOING BUSINESS FOR THE ABIHUJE FARMERS GROUP. Since 2018, Vestine Icyimanizanye and the 29 other women members have been meeting weekly to support their work together in Bugeshi, Rwanda, including growing crops, establishing shared goals, expanding their farms and, most notably, saving money.As the groups success has grown so, too, has their savings: Each womans weekly contribution has more than doubled, from around 11 to 24 cents, an impressive expansion of the group fund that provides loans and emergency financial support to its members as needed. In just four years this fund has opened once-closed doors for Vestine and the all-women group, allowing them to borrow money to purchase land, livestock and other assets to Abihuje membersupport their families. BeatriceComing together as women, saving together and borrowing to Nyirahabimana withexpand our economic activities or solve other problems was the her grandson, whom she helps supportbasis for a transformational journey, said Vestine, who individually with her farmshas taken several small loans to expand her farm and provide for income.her children.16| SPRING 2023'