A group of refugee women meets frequently in Cairo, Egypt, where they combine their funds and make financial decisions that benefit other people. At the age of 110, Fatima is the oldest of the 29 ladies. Fatima is a centenarian (a person who is a hundred or more years old), yet she has a zest for life that makes her appear at least forty years younger. Her group has given her the loving nickname "Umena," which translates to "mother." This title is appropriate, and not simply to carry because of her age. Fatima is a seven-time mother. She was also the first in her birthplace of Maqal, Sudan, to establish a school specifically for girls.

Bringing Passionate Women Together ~ (Source: Google Images) 

Fatima is a member of one of the numerous 'Village Savings and Loan Association' (VSLA) organizations that 'Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere' (CARE), a global nonprofit that combats poverty and promotes human rights, has collaborated with since 1991. Each group consists of fifteen to twenty-five individuals, mostly women, who get together on a regular basis to save money in a secure environment. The funds are utilized to assist one another in starting enterprises, negotiating reasonable prices in the marketplace, promoting gender equality in their local communities, and pursuing public office. CARE International aims to have trained over 50 million individuals in savings, loans, and financial literacy by 2030 to help them establish their enterprises.


(Source: Google Images) 

El Lama El Helwa, which roughly translates to "the best company," is the name of Fatima's organization. The group's savings totaled 100,000 EGP ($3,231 USD), or the yearly earnings of an average Egyptian. The savings make it possible to provide loans to financially vulnerable women, providing them with stability. During the group's entrepreneur meetings, one member introduced her hair care line. To purchase a hand mixer for baking and selling, someone else borrowed money.

Fatima is from Sudan, just like a lot of the women refugees in Egypt. She has spent the last 13 years in Cairo due to the unrest in her native country.  According to a UN assessment, women like Fatima and the others in her group head 57% of the homes who apply for asylum. She does, however, intend to return to Sudan someday in order to be reunited with her children, who are now scattered all over the world. But Fatima has settled in with the women in her group.

“All my friends are long gone,” she says. ”But I’m glad I’ve found this group of women to keep me in high spirits. And good company.”