For generations, farming has been the heartbeat of this village. But now, every planting season feels like preparing a feeding ground for elephants. Crops are routinely destroyed before harvest, pushing families deeper into poverty.  “Whether we plant maize or rice, it’s like we’re farming for the elephants,” another resident says.

Fear and uncertainty have become part of daily life. The psychological toll — stress, anxiety, even depression — is visible in the faces of farmers who once thrived on their hard work. The economic consequences are just as severe. With their main source of income under siege, many villagers are left with no clear path forward.

Attempts to fend off elephants have proven futile. While monkeys and cattle could be controlled with simple fences or deterrents, elephants are different. They come at night — powerful, silent, unstoppable. Even with support from national park rangers, the community feels overpowered.

But in December 2024, hope came knocking.

CARE Tanzania, through “Empowering the Community Through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) for Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation in Tanzania” project supported by GIZ, introduced an unexpected yet impactful solution — Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). While these groups are not designed to stop elephants directly, they help communities build financial resilience and diversify income sources, reducing dependence on farming in elephant-prone areas.

Unlike previous informal savings groups that often collapsed due to lack of structure, the project’s VSLAs offer a sustainable, community-led model. Members pool their savings, take out small loans, and reinvest profits — all guided by a clear constitution and collective accountability.

With training and support from CARE’s staff — Rashid, Patrick, and Temba — the Upendo VSLA group was formed in December 2024, bringing together 19 members with a shared vision for change. “We used to have informal groups with no structure or direction,” says Saidi Ausin Abdallah. “Now we have something organized, something strong.”

As part of CARE’s broader strategy to address the impacts of wildlife conflict, the Upendo VSLA group received training on collective investments. Today, the group launched fish farming and egg selling — enterprises that are not only profitable but also conducted near their homes and in safe zones, significantly reducing members’ exposure to elephants.

“Before, we depended on farming only. Once crops were destroyed, we had no alternatives for survival or a place to get affordable loans. But now, through the group, I can borrow money to grow my small business and contribute to our shared fish project,” adds Athumani.

The Upendo group’s success has drawn attention beyond the village. During a recent visit, the Ward Community Development Officer, Mr. Nelson Salala, expressed his amazement at the group’s achievements.

“Seeing a community group pool resources and run a collective fish farming project is extraordinary,” he said. “This initiative is worth expanding. I strongly advise you to begin the process of applying for the government’s 4-4-2 loan scheme — 10% loans for youth, women, and people with disabilities.”

This recognition marks a critical milestone. The Upendo group is no longer just surviving — they are positioned for growth, scalability, and deeper economic transformation.

Machemba’s journey is far from over. The elephants have not disappeared. But now, the villagers are no longer facing this challenge empty-handed. Through collective strength, financial empowerment, and strategic adaptation, Upendo VSLA is turning fear into resilience — one saving, one project, and one step at a time.