NABOCADO- SILC Initiative is transforming lives of women and children in Navrongo- Bolgatanga Chatholic Diocese.

The Savings and Internal Lending Concept (SILC) is an initiative promoted by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO) and funded by Misereor of Germany.


The Organisation is headed by the Human Development Coordinator of the Diocese, Dr Joseph Ayembilla.


The SILC idea is intended to financially empower its beneficiaries. It is a concept, that brings women together, who weekly contribute money into a common fund.


The contributors are then opportuned to borrow from the fund as and when needed.


A grace period of three months is then given to the borrowers to pay back the money, to allow the cycle to continue.


Throwing more light on the concept, Mr Dominic Abugre, the Manager of NABOCADO Bongo Centre said that the SILC idea is intended to financially empower smallholder women farmers and petty traders In the Diocese.


It is a concept, that brings women together, who weekly contribute money into a common fund.


The contributors are then opportune to borrow from the fund as loan, Mr. Dominic Abugre noted that it started in some communities as a test trial.


He further noted that during an evaluation, it was realized that most women were able to establish various businesses through it.


He again noted that the Catholic Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, was impressed with this.


He therefore recommended it to be duplicated in all Parishes/Rectorates within the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese.


With the help of funding support from MISEREOR of Germany, Hungary helps of Hungary and NABOCADO, it is currently operating in 26 Parishes/Rectorates.


Some of the
beneficiaries shared their stories with Ghanaweb's Sarah Dubure.


A bar operator, Madam Amiire Maciana, indicated that SILC had been of immense help to her in the area of her business.


She recalled that there was a time that she was in dire need of a fridge for her business, and she got it from the SILC group of St Francis of Assisi Rectorate.

" It's been very helpful. I got the fridge over there as a result of the contributions. When l wanted to buy it, the money wasn't up, l got the money from the SILC box, which made it very easy for me". She said.


Madam Maciana added that anytime she runs out of cash to buy drinks she quickly goes to SILC for support.


She recalled a time where her mother was seriously sick and with the help of SILC, she was able to cater for her medical bills.


"Some time ago, my mother was seriously sick and l didn't have any money to buy her drugs. It was SILC that lended me money to buy her drugs". She further said.


A secretary, Madam
Adinya Christiana, also pointed that the financial support group has
helped her greatly.


According to her, she picked a loan last year and delved into groundnut farming, which gave her a bumper harvest.

She added that the yield was so good to the extent that she had a surplus of five bowls to sell after meeting her
household food need.


Elated Christiana said with SILC at hand, she is considering going into irrigation farming this year.


A teacher, Madam Felicia Atombila of St Joseph Parish, recalled that there was a time that she was unemployed, and her husband had to take care of every need at home.


She further recalled that she constantly had to fall on her sister to borrow money from time to time, in order to be able to sustain herself.


She said that she eventually started working as a teacher and yet, life was was tough.


She pointed that with the help of SILC, she is currently into pig farming, which is helpful.


She stated that the two sons of her husband's deceased brother who are at JHS and Training College level of education are under their care.


She quickly added that this would not have been possible without the existence of SILC.


She pointed that the financial support group has made life very easy because she no longer experiences a situation of financial constraints.


Madam Rose Apogyanga, who is into the sale of grains and cereals, expressed gratitude to NABOCADO for the initiative.


She stated that although she was initially running a business, times were very hard.


She pointed that Mr Dominic Abugre from NABOCADO came in and trained them in the SILC initiative, and her life has since turned around. "


Through NABOCADO, I have always been able to get money and borrow for my business. When l buy my goods, l keep them and sell in bits. So l use the proceeds l make from my business to pay the debt and support my children". She revealed.


She intimated that initially, they suffered food shortage at home.


The sexagenarian however joyfully said there is now abundance of food at home, all thanks to the initiative of NABOCADO.