Stories
June 4, 2026 • 3 min read
In Akechnhial, Abyei Administrative Area, families are rebuilding their lives after crisis with the support of a simple but powerful approach: saving together. Supported by Irish Aid and implemented by GOAL, the Pionchimat Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) is helping women and men strengthen their livelihoods, recover from loss, and plan for a more secure future.
Economic Instability in Abyei
Years of conflict, displacement and economic instability have left communities across South Sudan struggling to recover. In the Abyei Administrative Area, many families have lost homes, assets and sources of income, with limited access to formal banking or financial services. For households trying to rebuild, even small amounts of capital can make the difference between ongoing hardship and a pathway to recovery.
Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are helping to fill this gap by providing communities with a safe and accessible way to save money, access small loans, and invest in their futures.
Rebuilding Livelihoods Through Savings in Abyei
In Akechnhial, the Pionchimat VSLA is one such group supporting families to rebuild their livelihoods. Supported by Irish Aid and implemented by GOAL, the association is helping women and men strengthen their incomes and regain financial stability after crisis.
The group brings together 25 members 21 women and 4 men who meet twice a month to contribute to a shared savings fund. Every 15 days, each member contributes SSP 33,000 (approximately €214.96), creating a pool of funds that members can borrow from at an agreed interest rate. After six months, the accumulated savings and profits are shared out, enabling households to cover essential needs and invest in income-generating activities.
Growth Through Community
For members of the Pionchimat VSLA, the group is more than a financial mechanism. It is a foundation for resilience, providing both practical support and renewed confidence in the future.
Many women in the group are using loans to start or expand small businesses. Some purchase groundnuts, processing and selling them for profit, while others invest in small-scale trade. The income generated helps cover household expenses, repay loans, and grow their businesses further. Male members are similarly investing in selling essential goods such as sorghum, sugar, and drinking water within the community.
Rebuilding After Loss
For Malual Riel, the VSLA has been critical to starting over. A trader in Akechnhial, he lost everything when his shop was destroyed during the 2024 conflict.
“When my shop burned down, I lost everything. I did not know how I would start again.”
Today, his shop is operating once more, and he has expanded by purchasing a refrigerator to sell cold drinks attracting more customers and
Building Confidence and Stability
For Nyanut Deng Akol, the benefits of the VSLA go beyond financial support. The group has helped her build stability for her family and confidence in managing her finances.
“I have bought bags of sorghum for my children to eat, paid their school fees, and opened a small tea shop where I earn extra income.”
She explains that the training and experience gained through the programme has changed how she approaches saving and investing.
“Before, we used to save money and spend it all at the end of the year. Now I take loans and invest in business. I also know I must always save something small for the VSLA. It gives me hope every day.”
Supporting Recovery and Resilience
Across Abyei, groups like the Pionchimat VSLA are demonstrating how access to savings, loans, and financial skills can support communities to recover from crisis and build stronger futures.
With continued support from Irish Aid, GOAL is helping households move from uncertainty to opportunity.
