International Women’s Day is a global moment to celebrate the incredible achievements of women. However, it is also a vital time to recognise the barriers, such as limited education, lack of financial access, and few secure job opportunities, that still trap families in poverty for generations across Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Learn moreMrs Alifosina Mkonde is the proud mother of eight children, and lives in the outskirts of Lilongwe, Malawi. 11 years ago, she set up a small grocery stall selling rice, groundnuts and maize to support her family.
She dreamed that her children would get the education she never had. In reality, the family lived in extreme poverty and often went for weeks without food. Imagine the heartache of putting your children to bed hungry.
Determined to make a change, Mrs Mkonde joined a MicroLoan group in 2012, receiving extensive business training and a loan of just AUD $25.
Take a look at where she is now.
Success stories
