BLVS are currently running 263 self help groups of men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds living in the district, 257 of these groups focus solely on working with women. Our objective is to mobilize and connect communities through supporting them to recognize and develop their own capabilities, facilitating the means to allow sustainable, financial independence. We have achieved this through the organizing of collective saving schemes, rewarded by incentives that benefit both the individual and the collective as a whole. Recognizing and responding to resources of existing and latent skills and knowledge of the specific group and then providing necessary training and practical information we believe we can instigate continual development. For instance training has been provided on how to access banks and negotiate business connections, how to care for livestock and develop crop yields. The affective running of the groups is managed by self elected committees, regular meetings are held where the group’s financial and structural decisions are made. We provide a chairperson who also acts to inform the group of their rights; providing information into useful points of contact, relevant social issues and government initiatives. more...