Empowering women entrepreneurs in rural communities: Kayin State, Myanmar

With funding from USAID, Pact's Advancing Community Empowerment project, or ACE, is using a range of solutions to help communities in Southeastern Myanmar to lead their own development. One of those solutions is Pact's WORTH model, which empowers women to lift themselves and each other out of poverty. WORTH brings women together to form their own savings and loan groups, from which they can take low-interest loans to start or strengthen small businesses or cover unforeseen family expenses. Participating women also gain access to financial and entrepreneurial training.

In this video, meet WORTH member Ma Zin Moe Oo, in Kayin State. With five children, her husband struggled to provide for their family. When women formed a WORTH group in her village, Ma Zin Moe Oo became a member and started contributing monthly savings. After six months, she was able to take a loan from the group to start a small shop. With additional income, her family is thriving.