Voices of Resilience: Empowering Women through VSLA & DBC Support
Across Somaliland, women are transforming their lives and communities through access to financial services, training, and support from Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) and the District Banking Committee (DBC). These are their stories
Deeqa Cabdilaahi: From Vegetable Seller to Thriving Business Owner
Before opening her grocery shop, Deeqa Carab Cabdilaahi’s life was physically demanding. As a vegetable seller, she spent long hours walking from shop to shop, delivering produce. Determined to build a more stable livelihood, she sought financial support. With her background in a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), Deeqa had already received business, numeracy, and finance training. This knowledge gave her the confidence to apply for a loan from the District Banking Committee (DBC) in Arabsiyo. Understanding the loan process, she secured the $500 funding she needed to expand her business
Deeqo Cabdilaahi at her shope
With the loan, Deeqa opened a grocery shop stocked with essential goods for the community. The financial support allowed her to purchase her first inventory and establish a stable source of income. Within the repayment period, she successfully repaid the loan, demonstrating her ability to manage and grow her business. The training provided by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) empowered her to not only support her family and pay for her children’s education but also contribute to her community. Now seen as a dependable figure, she is called upon when important matters arise and takes pride in giving back
“I feel like a person with a backbone,” she says, reflecting on the
confidence she has gained. Through hard work and opportunity,
Deeqa has not only built a flourishing business but also strengthened
her role as a provider and a pillar of her community.”
Maymuuna Daauud Axmed: From Roadside Dairy Seller to Thriving Business Owner
For years, Maymuuna Daauud Axmed sat by the main road in Arabsiyo, selling milk to passersby. While her dairy business provided some income, she felt its limitations and longed for something bigger—a business that would provide stability and growth for her family
Determined to make a change, Maymuuna applied for a loan from the District Banking Committee (DBC). With the financial literacy and business training she received from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), she navigated the loan process with confidence. Securing the funds, she built and stocked her first general goods store in a prime location along the main Arabsiyo road.
Maymuuna Daauud Axmed
The shop quickly became a success. Not only was she able to repay the loan within the agreed period, but her business also flourished, transforming her family's livelihood. What began as a personal ambition soon became a family endeavor—her children now help tend to the shop when she is away, strengthening their household’s financial security. With her stable income, Maymuuna can now afford her children's education and plan with newfound confidence. More than just a business owner, she has become a pillar of resilience and inspiration in her community
“I went from a dairy seller to a business owner thanks to the DRC,
SomReP, and the DBC.”
These are just a few stories of transformation. With continued support, more women like Deeqa and Maymuuna can build resilient futures for themselves and their communities.