My name is Fina Armando. I am a mother of six and a grandmother of three. For a long time, I lived as a different person. After my husband passed away, I felt I had no way to make a living. I had a deep desire to do something, to run a business, but I didn’t know how. I relied only on the help of others, and my children could not go to school.

When Oasis, Tearfund’s partner here in Mozambique, first invited me to join a savings group, I said no. They came back a second time, and I denied them again! But they kept insisting. Eventually, I accepted, and I thank God every day that I did.

When I joined the group, I learned how to save. It has been four years now. In the first year, I took a loan and built a veranda for my home. In the second year, I bought a machine for building. By the fourth year, I was able to build my own small shop.

Today, I am a business owner. I buy tomatoes, dried fish, soft drinks, flour, and rice to sell. Each day, I split my earnings: half goes to my children for school, and the other half I keep to buy more merchandise. My business is growing – I started with a small stall, and now I can buy two sacks of rice at a time. Because of these savings, I am able to "live well" and guarantee there is bread on the table.

Change starts here, with the savings we collected together and the business I was able to start.

Now, my community has chosen me to be a Mother Leader (local women trained to support their community in family health and hygiene). I feel so proud because I see my neighbours following my steps. I visit them and find things organised – no rubbish spread around, and clean outdoor bathrooms. I use my teaching book to show other mothers how to protect our water and prepare healthy food for their children.

My life has progressed so much. My children see my example and help me; my eldest son finds work when he can, and my daughter has started her own hair salon. Two of my children have finished school, and two more are currently in grades 8 and 10.

I am now a self-confident person. When I look at my family, I tell them I am fighting a good fight. I believe that I will keep progressing, and I have many dreams – I want to build a full compound for my family.

I give thanks to God because I didn't even imagine I would be where I am today. Change started with a small invitation I almost didn't take, and now, it is growing like a mustard seed in my community.

I used to rely only on the help of others, but today I am a woman of confidence. I have a business, a shop, and a voice in my community.