now is better then before.

the women talk about “before.”

Before I was in a mothers group, I had no access to loans.

Before, I didn’t know anything about saving money. I couldn’t afford to buy medicine for my children. I didn’t know the importance of going to the clinic.

Before, I didn’t know how to write and sew.

Before, my husband didn’t listen to my input on finances.

Since joining mothers groups in their villages, these women talk about “now.”

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT + IMPROVED MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

Pact’s mothers groups in Gombe State are part of the State Accountability and Quality Improvement Project (SAQIP). The mothers groups combine economic empowerment with improved maternal, newborn and child health outcomes as part of Pact’s integrated approach to development.

The members are young and old. Married and single. Some are pregnant for the first time, some are already mothers, others hope to be mothers one day. They are Muslims and Christians who aspire to grow successful businesses, or simply to have enough to get by.

Their aspirations transcend their differences: they dream big, hope-filled dreams for themselves and their children. They want more out of life.