The women of Gwagwada gave the following responses when asked the most significant change as a result of the program:
1st woman (Christy): the most significant change for me is in the area of organization. We were able to form a cooperative society from the listeners club and this has shown us that we have to have guidelines that we must abide by in order to succeed. We have established conditions like when someone can receive a loan from the cooperative’s account. Since the cooperative society is for all of us, nobody is above the law so everybody can be sanctioned when we err. So, everyone feels a sense of responsibility; it is as if this is our child and we are grooming her. So we have come up with our own guidelines of what is expected of every member and anybody who behaves otherwise is rebelling. The cooperative society is also a form of security for members because we find constructive ways of helping each other in times of need. We also learn from each other so we are a family. Even though we are a part of various organizations in our church, this is different because this one is ours.
2nd woman (Lami): for me, the most significant change is in the area of mobile phones. Before now, I never really knew how to operate a phone. If I ever needed to, my husband will do it for me but now I can confidently use a mobile phone on my own. Also in the area of banking, this program ahs really helped. Like now, we have been able to gather our stipends from the listeners club and open an account. Not only that, but we also have levies in the cooperative and we are able to save that. It is as if we are now a part of society because we had to find out things like when we will be eligible to receive loans and the conditions. We also do internal borrowing among ourselves and so far, we have cashed an additional 10,000.00 of our own.
3rd woman (Hannatu): This program has really been useful to me especially in the area of banking. Now we have an account so we are able to save our money as a group and plan towards activities that would enable us profit and grow. We also know where we can go to get correct information. As for the phone of which I am a custodian, we do not have many customers because we are inside the village but we are hoping to find a way of getting a shop in the market so that we can make more business calls and generate more income.
4th woman (Jummai): the change that is most significant for me is the banking. I have not used a bank before but now we go to the bank to ask questions all the time and we are saving our money. Truly, this has really made me feel worthy.
5th woman (Asibi): The area that has really touched me is in the area of the cooperative society. It is very encouraging when we gather together because we share experiences with one another and learn from each other. In the past we have tried to start up cooperatives but it never really took root. Now we organize activities for ourselves that can help us learn new things. Other groups have also started forming into cooperative societies and now, we are able to get incentives from the local government more easily.
6th woman: (Mrs. Zarmai): I have been seeing the women gathering and I have noticed that they are more confident now. They take their activities very seriously; even their dressing has changed! Now they all dress to look their best; the way people of class or educated women behave.
7th woman: (Tani Kaura): The truth is that this group has really changed the way I think about mobile phones. I would never have thought that in my old age I would be able to use a phone; I always felt it was for the younger generation and this has really encouraged me to keep on looking for things I want in life. I am still pleading so that whatever assistance you people can offer us, you will offer so that we can move forward; with your help.
Four men were asked the most significant change noticed in the women and their responses were as follows:
1st man (Mr. Umaru): For me, the most significant change I have noticed in the women is their boldness. Many of them now are confident to speak in public. They do not shy away anymore. In my house, my wife takes more decisions than she used to and I listen to her because I know that she understands some things better than I do. Another thing I have noticed is that the women all want to be educated so we have started a literacy program for them where we teach them to write and read in Hausa. Many of them show up except they are very busy in the farm.
2nd man: (Zakaria): Actually, I don’t really know what the women do but every other Sunday, I see them gather under the tree discussing.
3rd man: (The village pastor): The women really impress me. They meet under the mango tree behind my house regularly and you notice that they are bolder and more confident now. Their surroundings are always neat and they just seem to be more confident. I’ve also noticed that several of them are learning to read and write now.
4th man: Truly, these women amaze me. The other day, I saw one of them explaining to a man the correct way to apply fertilizer and other farm inputs. The women are bold and they are even farming more than they used to. Also, several of them have bought phones and you will see them teaching their neighbours how to use mobile phones. Suddenly, several of them are going for literacy classes.
The custodian of the handset said they are looking for a way to get a shop inm the market so that they can generate more income from the phone.
