Rhema Institute Empowers Village Agents with Financial Literacy Training
On Friday, May, 22, 2026, Rhema Institute for Development conducted a capacity-building staff training session focused on financial literacy for Village Agents. The targeted training brought together 11 Village Agents who supervise operations across Mtengowanthenga, Katchakwala, Chinyama, Chivala, Kasangu, Chiponde, Dowa Turnoff, and Mchepa.
The training was coordinated by Project Officer Victoria Mbewe, who emphasized that financial literacy is a cornerstone of resource mobilization and grassroots economic empowerment.
Addressing the participants, Mbewe urged the Village Agents to proactively advocate for strong entrepreneurship skills within their communities. She noted a common market saturation challenge within Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs):
“We often see a trend where multiple members take out loans and immediately start identical businesses as their neighbors—such as everyone selling tomatoes. This oversaturation drives prices down, erodes profit margins, and ultimately leaves members struggling to repay their loans. Financial literacy helps them diversify and spot viable, unique market gaps.”
Complementing this technical guidance, Rhema’s Field Officer, Tellina Kabango, reminded the agents of the high ethical standards required in their roles. She emphasized that Village Agents must lead by example, practicing sound financial and personal principles within their own households to inspire trust and emulation among community members.
Furthermore, the agents were urged to closely monitor and support members who have successfully grown their enterprises after receiving their annual VSLA share-outs.
During a dynamic breakout session, participants split into three working groups to map out viable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) tailored to the specific economic landscapes of their respective areas. This comprehensive approach directly aligns with the organization’s core thematic focus on fostering economic recovery through community banking and microfinance initiatives.