Author: sHq_LoGiNz

When a young, injured harbor seal pup was discovered struggling off the British Columbia coast, the team at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) stepped in. That pup – affectionately named “DeePee”– has now made a full recovery and released back into the wild.

A global leader in marine mammal rescue, research, and rehabilitation, VAMMR operates Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility and is often the sole hope for sick, injured, or orphaned marine animals.

Through a three-year partnership, DP World supports VAMMR’s pinniped disentanglement program, marine mammal research, and rehabilitation efforts.

This summer, DP World employees joined VAMMR onsite to help feed and care for several rescued pups – including DeePee – during their recovery. The hands-on experience culminated in the successful release of DeePee back into his natural habitat, a milestone that symbolizes both resilience and shared stewardship of marine ecosystems.

About DeePee’s Rehabilitation

The goal for every VAMMR patient like DeePee is a successful rehabilitation and release back into the ocean. Sick, injured, or orphaned seals, sea otters, sea lions, turtles and small cetaceans receive species-appropriate care at their Rescue Center. Each patient receives:

• An individual treatment plan for injuries, infections, or malnutrition
• Specialized nutrition to support healthy growth and recovery

Each rescue gives a marine mammal a second chance and provides information that helps build a better understanding of ocean health.

A Small Seal with a Big Message

Every rescued marine animal represents a stronger, more resilient coastal ecosystem. DeePee’s story highlights how community-level conservation partnerships can directly support ocean health and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

For DP World employees across Canada, the naming of DeePee is a meaningful reminder of their proximity to – and responsibility for – the waters where they work.

Protecting Ocean Health Through Local Action

DP World’s support for VAMMR is one facet of its wider “Our World, Our Future” sustainability strategy, which includes long-term programs in marine conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and water stewardship across the Americas.

In Canada, this includes partnerships with Ocean Wise and support for initiatives such as the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), designed to reduce vessel disturbances and protect at-risk cetaceans. The company also participates in water quality monitoring at the Port of Prince Rupert, invests in clean energy technologies that reduce impacts on marine environments, and hosts multiple shoreline cleanups across the regions in which they live.

DP World’s Broader Oceans Commitment

Globally, DP World is advancing comprehensive, science-based ocean conservation efforts, including:

• Living Seawalls installations that increase biodiversity on port structures
• Blue Bond funding dedicated to coastal resilience and marine restoration
• Water quality monitoring programs like those at DP World’s Prince Rupert port
• Mangrove reforestation, including more than 250,000 seedlings planted in Ecuador
• Aquatic fauna monitoring, such as the long-term program at DP World’s Port of Santos
• Clean energy investments, from electrified equipment to hydrogen-powered pilots, reducing emissions that affect marine habitats.

These initiatives reflect DP World’s belief that healthy oceans and sustainable global trade must advance together.

Learn More

Explore DP World’s global sustainability strategy: Our World, Our Future

View DeePee’s patient profile here.

When a young, injured harbor seal pup was discovered struggling off the British Columbia coast, the team at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) stepped in. That pup – affectionately named “DeePee”– has now made a full recovery and released back into the wild.

A global leader in marine mammal rescue, research, and rehabilitation, VAMMR operates Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility and is often the sole hope for sick, injured, or orphaned marine animals.

Through a three-year partnership, DP World supports VAMMR’s pinniped disentanglement program, marine mammal research, and rehabilitation efforts.

This summer, DP World employees joined VAMMR onsite to help feed and care for several rescued pups – including DeePee – during their recovery. The hands-on experience culminated in the successful release of DeePee back into his natural habitat, a milestone that symbolizes both resilience and shared stewardship of marine ecosystems.

About DeePee’s Rehabilitation

The goal for every VAMMR patient like DeePee is a successful rehabilitation and release back into the ocean. Sick, injured, or orphaned seals, sea otters, sea lions, turtles and small cetaceans receive species-appropriate care at their Rescue Center. Each patient receives:

• An individual treatment plan for injuries, infections, or malnutrition
• Specialized nutrition to support healthy growth and recovery

Each rescue gives a marine mammal a second chance and provides information that helps build a better understanding of ocean health.

A Small Seal with a Big Message

Every rescued marine animal represents a stronger, more resilient coastal ecosystem. DeePee’s story highlights how community-level conservation partnerships can directly support ocean health and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

For DP World employees across Canada, the naming of DeePee is a meaningful reminder of their proximity to – and responsibility for – the waters where they work.

Protecting Ocean Health Through Local Action

DP World’s support for VAMMR is one facet of its wider “Our World, Our Future” sustainability strategy, which includes long-term programs in marine conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and water stewardship across the Americas.

In Canada, this includes partnerships with Ocean Wise and support for initiatives such as the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), designed to reduce vessel disturbances and protect at-risk cetaceans. The company also participates in water quality monitoring at the Port of Prince Rupert, invests in clean energy technologies that reduce impacts on marine environments, and hosts multiple shoreline cleanups across the regions in which they live.

DP World’s Broader Oceans Commitment

Globally, DP World is advancing comprehensive, science-based ocean conservation efforts, including:

• Living Seawalls installations that increase biodiversity on port structures
• Blue Bond funding dedicated to coastal resilience and marine restoration
• Water quality monitoring programs like those at DP World’s Prince Rupert port
• Mangrove reforestation, including more than 250,000 seedlings planted in Ecuador
• Aquatic fauna monitoring, such as the long-term program at DP World’s Port of Santos
• Clean energy investments, from electrified equipment to hydrogen-powered pilots, reducing emissions that affect marine habitats.

These initiatives reflect DP World’s belief that healthy oceans and sustainable global trade must advance together.

Learn More

Explore DP World’s global sustainability strategy: Our World, Our Future

View DeePee’s patient profile here.

When a young, injured harbor seal pup was discovered struggling off the British Columbia coast, the team at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) stepped in. That pup – affectionately named “DeePee”– has now made a full recovery and released back into the wild.

A global leader in marine mammal rescue, research, and rehabilitation, VAMMR operates Canada’s only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility and is often the sole hope for sick, injured, or orphaned marine animals.

Through a three-year partnership, DP World supports VAMMR’s pinniped disentanglement program, marine mammal research, and rehabilitation efforts.

This summer, DP World employees joined VAMMR onsite to help feed and care for several rescued pups – including DeePee – during their recovery. The hands-on experience culminated in the successful release of DeePee back into his natural habitat, a milestone that symbolizes both resilience and shared stewardship of marine ecosystems.

About DeePee’s Rehabilitation

The goal for every VAMMR patient like DeePee is a successful rehabilitation and release back into the ocean. Sick, injured, or orphaned seals, sea otters, sea lions, turtles and small cetaceans receive species-appropriate care at their Rescue Center. Each patient receives:

• An individual treatment plan for injuries, infections, or malnutrition
• Specialized nutrition to support healthy growth and recovery

Each rescue gives a marine mammal a second chance and provides information that helps build a better understanding of ocean health.

A Small Seal with a Big Message

Every rescued marine animal represents a stronger, more resilient coastal ecosystem. DeePee’s story highlights how community-level conservation partnerships can directly support ocean health and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

For DP World employees across Canada, the naming of DeePee is a meaningful reminder of their proximity to – and responsibility for – the waters where they work.

Protecting Ocean Health Through Local Action

DP World’s support for VAMMR is one facet of its wider “Our World, Our Future” sustainability strategy, which includes long-term programs in marine conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and water stewardship across the Americas.

In Canada, this includes partnerships with Ocean Wise and support for initiatives such as the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), designed to reduce vessel disturbances and protect at-risk cetaceans. The company also participates in water quality monitoring at the Port of Prince Rupert, invests in clean energy technologies that reduce impacts on marine environments, and hosts multiple shoreline cleanups across the regions in which they live.

DP World’s Broader Oceans Commitment

Globally, DP World is advancing comprehensive, science-based ocean conservation efforts, including:

• Living Seawalls installations that increase biodiversity on port structures
• Blue Bond funding dedicated to coastal resilience and marine restoration
• Water quality monitoring programs like those at DP World’s Prince Rupert port
• Mangrove reforestation, including more than 250,000 seedlings planted in Ecuador
• Aquatic fauna monitoring, such as the long-term program at DP World’s Port of Santos
• Clean energy investments, from electrified equipment to hydrogen-powered pilots, reducing emissions that affect marine habitats.

These initiatives reflect DP World’s belief that healthy oceans and sustainable global trade must advance together.

Learn More

Explore DP World’s global sustainability strategy: Our World, Our Future

View DeePee’s patient profile here.

Originally published on care.org.

The report ‘From Saving to Shaping Markets‘ shows Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) aren’t just about helping families get by; they are also a powerful way to grow local economies, driven by women who are determined to build better futures and ready to make the most of new opportunities.

CARE’s latest numbers again demonstrate the global power of savings: 30 million members across 67 countries have amassed $11.5 billion in cumulative savings. Last year alone, members saved $1.8 billion and accessed $105 million in microloans. But it’s not just the numbers that propel us forward; it’s the vast potential ready to be unlocked.

Here are six lessons learned from more than 30 years of supporting women in savings groups — compelling reasons for why CARE continues to invest in savings groups as the cornerstone of economic growth for women.

1. Savings groups deliver strong returns on investment.

Amid unprecedented global funding cuts, making every dollar count is more critical than ever. VSLAs offer one of the strongest returns on investment in global development: $18.85 for every $1 invested.

The results go beyond dollar signs. Our evidence shows that investing in savings groups helps families eat more, keeps more children in school, and empowers women to lead change in their communities. And it’s not just us who see the value — women in savings groups do too.

2. Savings groups are proven to help women recover in emergencies.

Humanitarian needs are growing. In 2025, 305 million people around the world will require urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Savings groups offer a proven way to build resilience and support recovery in emergencies.

When conflict in Syria forced many to flee their homes, savings groups did more than help them survive — they allowed them to take control of their lives with dignity. Our studies found that displaced people who joined savings groups ate more regularly and were better able to repay debts. Even more striking, half of the participants started joint businesses — pooling resources and working together to earn income for their families.

One group, called Al-Diya, began as a modest savings circle, but soon built trust and solidarity among its members. When they dreamed bigger, a CARE partner helped them develop a business plan. Together, they opened a sewing shop, offering independence and hope for their futures.

“Group business sessions made us feel like we were running a real business, with all its challenges and opportunities,” says one group member.

When the situation in Syria shifted in late 2024, allowing them to return home, the group brought the business with them. They recruited and trained new members, turning the shop into a business and a skills-sharing space.

Today, Al-Diya Group continues to thrive as the women who lead it build stability for themselves and their community.

3. Savings help families and businesses withstand crises, no matter where they are.

Women do not have to be displaced by conflict or disaster to find themselves facing crisis. CARE regularly polls savings groups through our Women Respond initiative. The most recent data shows women around the world are besieged by drought, pests, floods, and other shocks. 70% of respondents told us that accessing enough food is a major challenge.

For women, their families, and the businesses they have built, having savings to rely on can make the difference between coping and catastrophe. From Women Respond, we know women in VSLAs use their savings to get through tough times, while research with women leading small businesses shows savings are a key part of financial health and resilience, even for established entrepreneurs.

For one community in Tanzania’s Tunduru District, crisis comes in the form of elephants that destroy their crops at night. After years of uncertain harvests, savings groups offered hope and a different future. “Before, we depended on farming only,” says Athumani, a member of the Upendo savings group. “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.”

4. Women entrepreneurs hold massive potential to boost economies.

Some studies estimate that if women started and grew businesses at the same rate as men, the global economy could gain $5-6 trillion. Yet women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises face a huge gap in financing — around $1.9 trillion. Savings groups help close that gap by giving women a solid foundation, allowing them to move from earning money to growing it.

Our experience shows when women succeed, whole communities benefit. In Vietnam, for example, Hoang Thi Duong worked alone as a cinnamon processor in the remote north. Her income was unpredictable, and her work was unstructured. That changed when she joined a savings group. She began to imagine how women could work together to build a better future.

Today, she is director of a thriving cinnamon cooperative, leading a business that sources materials locally and provides seasonal jobs for more than 170 people.

“For the first time,” Duong said, “I see women in my village earning steady income, planning for the future, and working together like a team.”

Duong’s story isn’t uncommon. Over 900 miles away in Vietnam’s central highlands, Nối’s mushroom-growing group consistently sells out every harvest thanks to their savvy social media marketing. The mushrooms help feed her family and earn her an extra VND 3 million (about $115) each month. Now, her group buys straw (which they use as a base for their mushroom crops) from other women in the community, creating a new local market and more opportunities.

5. Savings groups help sustain farming communities and global supply chains.

The global market for chocolate products was worth roughly $123 billion in 2024, yet 60% of the world’s cocoa comes from just two countries, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. From chocolate to coffee to cashews and beyond, women farmers supply the world with essential goods. But extreme weather, economic upheaval, and other crises are making it harder for farming families to stay afloat.

Savings groups help connect local communities growing products and the global corporations that sell them. By connecting local producers to financial tools, global markets, and additional ways of earning income, VSLAs are becoming a vital part of how corporations strengthen the supply chains they depend on.

That’s why global companies are investing in savings groups through CARE — because they see that supporting farming communities is not just good for people, but also good for business.

This support is helping many cocoa-growing families diversify their income and invest in their futures. Beatrice from Côte d’Ivoire is one of them.

“We have opened a collective bank account and even obtained a loan of 4 million FCFA ($6,930). This loan helped some maintain their cocoa farms, while others used it to create or increase their businesses,” says Beatrice.

6. Savings groups are a gateway to digital inclusion and innovation.

70% of women entrepreneurs in low-income and emerging economies lack access to financial services. Closing the mobile internet gender gap could add $1.3 trillion to GDP in low- and middle-income countries.

When finance and technology companies design new products with input from savings groups, women receive larger loans, businesses grow, and the ripple effects of women’s achievements build the trust that makes digital finance successful.

CARE partnered with Ensibuuko, a Ugandan FinTech company, to develop Chomoka, a digital record-keeping app for savings groups. Today, Chomoka serves over 131,000 users across six African countries.

Together with women VSLA members, Ensibuuko co-designed a digital loan accessible through the app, specifically tailored for savings groups. By leveraging women’s VSLA histories to create credit scores, the app has enabled members like Grace — a refugee from the DRC who arrived in Uganda with nothing — to qualify for larger loans.

Grace opened a shop and now gives advice along with the goods she sells. She helps other women apply for digital loans and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs as they start their businesses.

“I knew life would be hard starting over, but with the VSLA and Chomoka, I found hope,” says Grace.

Savings groups: A powerful constant in uncertain times

“2025 has been the year that the entire world experienced the uncertainty that VSLA members face daily,” says CARE’s senior director for Global VSLAs, Vidhya Sriram.

“We have seen critical aid organizations collapse and lifesaving assistance cut off from communities in need. Amid it all, VSLAs have continued to meet, save, lend, and forge a future for their members.

“The resilience of these groups is a testament to the power of the collective — nay, the power of women, who are always the first responders and the last to leave any crisis. They remain, and they are the new frontier of development assistance.”

Learn more about the power and resilience of savings groups in CARE’s VSLA Annual Report 2025: From Savings to Shaping Markets.

Originally published on care.org.

The report ‘From Saving to Shaping Markets‘ shows Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) aren’t just about helping families get by; they are also a powerful way to grow local economies, driven by women who are determined to build better futures and ready to make the most of new opportunities.

CARE’s latest numbers again demonstrate the global power of savings: 30 million members across 67 countries have amassed $11.5 billion in cumulative savings. Last year alone, members saved $1.8 billion and accessed $105 million in microloans. But it’s not just the numbers that propel us forward; it’s the vast potential ready to be unlocked.

Here are six lessons learned from more than 30 years of supporting women in savings groups — compelling reasons for why CARE continues to invest in savings groups as the cornerstone of economic growth for women.

1. Savings groups deliver strong returns on investment.

Amid unprecedented global funding cuts, making every dollar count is more critical than ever. VSLAs offer one of the strongest returns on investment in global development: $18.85 for every $1 invested.

The results go beyond dollar signs. Our evidence shows that investing in savings groups helps families eat more, keeps more children in school, and empowers women to lead change in their communities. And it’s not just us who see the value — women in savings groups do too.

2. Savings groups are proven to help women recover in emergencies.

Humanitarian needs are growing. In 2025, 305 million people around the world will require urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Savings groups offer a proven way to build resilience and support recovery in emergencies.

When conflict in Syria forced many to flee their homes, savings groups did more than help them survive — they allowed them to take control of their lives with dignity. Our studies found that displaced people who joined savings groups ate more regularly and were better able to repay debts. Even more striking, half of the participants started joint businesses — pooling resources and working together to earn income for their families.

One group, called Al-Diya, began as a modest savings circle, but soon built trust and solidarity among its members. When they dreamed bigger, a CARE partner helped them develop a business plan. Together, they opened a sewing shop, offering independence and hope for their futures.

“Group business sessions made us feel like we were running a real business, with all its challenges and opportunities,” says one group member.

When the situation in Syria shifted in late 2024, allowing them to return home, the group brought the business with them. They recruited and trained new members, turning the shop into a business and a skills-sharing space.

Today, Al-Diya Group continues to thrive as the women who lead it build stability for themselves and their community.

3. Savings help families and businesses withstand crises, no matter where they are.

Women do not have to be displaced by conflict or disaster to find themselves facing crisis. CARE regularly polls savings groups through our Women Respond initiative. The most recent data shows women around the world are besieged by drought, pests, floods, and other shocks. 70% of respondents told us that accessing enough food is a major challenge.

For women, their families, and the businesses they have built, having savings to rely on can make the difference between coping and catastrophe. From Women Respond, we know women in VSLAs use their savings to get through tough times, while research with women leading small businesses shows savings are a key part of financial health and resilience, even for established entrepreneurs.

For one community in Tanzania’s Tunduru District, crisis comes in the form of elephants that destroy their crops at night. After years of uncertain harvests, savings groups offered hope and a different future. “Before, we depended on farming only,” says Athumani, a member of the Upendo savings group. “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.”

4. Women entrepreneurs hold massive potential to boost economies.

Some studies estimate that if women started and grew businesses at the same rate as men, the global economy could gain $5-6 trillion. Yet women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises face a huge gap in financing — around $1.9 trillion. Savings groups help close that gap by giving women a solid foundation, allowing them to move from earning money to growing it.

Our experience shows when women succeed, whole communities benefit. In Vietnam, for example, Hoang Thi Duong worked alone as a cinnamon processor in the remote north. Her income was unpredictable, and her work was unstructured. That changed when she joined a savings group. She began to imagine how women could work together to build a better future.

Today, she is director of a thriving cinnamon cooperative, leading a business that sources materials locally and provides seasonal jobs for more than 170 people.

“For the first time,” Duong said, “I see women in my village earning steady income, planning for the future, and working together like a team.”

Duong’s story isn’t uncommon. Over 900 miles away in Vietnam’s central highlands, Nối’s mushroom-growing group consistently sells out every harvest thanks to their savvy social media marketing. The mushrooms help feed her family and earn her an extra VND 3 million (about $115) each month. Now, her group buys straw (which they use as a base for their mushroom crops) from other women in the community, creating a new local market and more opportunities.

5. Savings groups help sustain farming communities and global supply chains.

The global market for chocolate products was worth roughly $123 billion in 2024, yet 60% of the world’s cocoa comes from just two countries, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. From chocolate to coffee to cashews and beyond, women farmers supply the world with essential goods. But extreme weather, economic upheaval, and other crises are making it harder for farming families to stay afloat.

Savings groups help connect local communities growing products and the global corporations that sell them. By connecting local producers to financial tools, global markets, and additional ways of earning income, VSLAs are becoming a vital part of how corporations strengthen the supply chains they depend on.

That’s why global companies are investing in savings groups through CARE — because they see that supporting farming communities is not just good for people, but also good for business.

This support is helping many cocoa-growing families diversify their income and invest in their futures. Beatrice from Côte d’Ivoire is one of them.

“We have opened a collective bank account and even obtained a loan of 4 million FCFA ($6,930). This loan helped some maintain their cocoa farms, while others used it to create or increase their businesses,” says Beatrice.

6. Savings groups are a gateway to digital inclusion and innovation.

70% of women entrepreneurs in low-income and emerging economies lack access to financial services. Closing the mobile internet gender gap could add $1.3 trillion to GDP in low- and middle-income countries.

When finance and technology companies design new products with input from savings groups, women receive larger loans, businesses grow, and the ripple effects of women’s achievements build the trust that makes digital finance successful.

CARE partnered with Ensibuuko, a Ugandan FinTech company, to develop Chomoka, a digital record-keeping app for savings groups. Today, Chomoka serves over 131,000 users across six African countries.

Together with women VSLA members, Ensibuuko co-designed a digital loan accessible through the app, specifically tailored for savings groups. By leveraging women’s VSLA histories to create credit scores, the app has enabled members like Grace — a refugee from the DRC who arrived in Uganda with nothing — to qualify for larger loans.

Grace opened a shop and now gives advice along with the goods she sells. She helps other women apply for digital loans and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs as they start their businesses.

“I knew life would be hard starting over, but with the VSLA and Chomoka, I found hope,” says Grace.

Savings groups: A powerful constant in uncertain times

“2025 has been the year that the entire world experienced the uncertainty that VSLA members face daily,” says CARE’s senior director for Global VSLAs, Vidhya Sriram.

“We have seen critical aid organizations collapse and lifesaving assistance cut off from communities in need. Amid it all, VSLAs have continued to meet, save, lend, and forge a future for their members.

“The resilience of these groups is a testament to the power of the collective — nay, the power of women, who are always the first responders and the last to leave any crisis. They remain, and they are the new frontier of development assistance.”

Learn more about the power and resilience of savings groups in CARE’s VSLA Annual Report 2025: From Savings to Shaping Markets.

Originally published on care.org.

The report ‘From Saving to Shaping Markets‘ shows Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) aren’t just about helping families get by; they are also a powerful way to grow local economies, driven by women who are determined to build better futures and ready to make the most of new opportunities.

CARE’s latest numbers again demonstrate the global power of savings: 30 million members across 67 countries have amassed $11.5 billion in cumulative savings. Last year alone, members saved $1.8 billion and accessed $105 million in microloans. But it’s not just the numbers that propel us forward; it’s the vast potential ready to be unlocked.

Here are six lessons learned from more than 30 years of supporting women in savings groups — compelling reasons for why CARE continues to invest in savings groups as the cornerstone of economic growth for women.

1. Savings groups deliver strong returns on investment.

Amid unprecedented global funding cuts, making every dollar count is more critical than ever. VSLAs offer one of the strongest returns on investment in global development: $18.85 for every $1 invested.

The results go beyond dollar signs. Our evidence shows that investing in savings groups helps families eat more, keeps more children in school, and empowers women to lead change in their communities. And it’s not just us who see the value — women in savings groups do too.

2. Savings groups are proven to help women recover in emergencies.

Humanitarian needs are growing. In 2025, 305 million people around the world will require urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Savings groups offer a proven way to build resilience and support recovery in emergencies.

When conflict in Syria forced many to flee their homes, savings groups did more than help them survive — they allowed them to take control of their lives with dignity. Our studies found that displaced people who joined savings groups ate more regularly and were better able to repay debts. Even more striking, half of the participants started joint businesses — pooling resources and working together to earn income for their families.

One group, called Al-Diya, began as a modest savings circle, but soon built trust and solidarity among its members. When they dreamed bigger, a CARE partner helped them develop a business plan. Together, they opened a sewing shop, offering independence and hope for their futures.

“Group business sessions made us feel like we were running a real business, with all its challenges and opportunities,” says one group member.

When the situation in Syria shifted in late 2024, allowing them to return home, the group brought the business with them. They recruited and trained new members, turning the shop into a business and a skills-sharing space.

Today, Al-Diya Group continues to thrive as the women who lead it build stability for themselves and their community.

3. Savings help families and businesses withstand crises, no matter where they are.

Women do not have to be displaced by conflict or disaster to find themselves facing crisis. CARE regularly polls savings groups through our Women Respond initiative. The most recent data shows women around the world are besieged by drought, pests, floods, and other shocks. 70% of respondents told us that accessing enough food is a major challenge.

For women, their families, and the businesses they have built, having savings to rely on can make the difference between coping and catastrophe. From Women Respond, we know women in VSLAs use their savings to get through tough times, while research with women leading small businesses shows savings are a key part of financial health and resilience, even for established entrepreneurs.

For one community in Tanzania’s Tunduru District, crisis comes in the form of elephants that destroy their crops at night. After years of uncertain harvests, savings groups offered hope and a different future. “Before, we depended on farming only,” says Athumani, a member of the Upendo savings group. “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.”

4. Women entrepreneurs hold massive potential to boost economies.

Some studies estimate that if women started and grew businesses at the same rate as men, the global economy could gain $5-6 trillion. Yet women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises face a huge gap in financing — around $1.9 trillion. Savings groups help close that gap by giving women a solid foundation, allowing them to move from earning money to growing it.

Our experience shows when women succeed, whole communities benefit. In Vietnam, for example, Hoang Thi Duong worked alone as a cinnamon processor in the remote north. Her income was unpredictable, and her work was unstructured. That changed when she joined a savings group. She began to imagine how women could work together to build a better future.

Today, she is director of a thriving cinnamon cooperative, leading a business that sources materials locally and provides seasonal jobs for more than 170 people.

“For the first time,” Duong said, “I see women in my village earning steady income, planning for the future, and working together like a team.”

Duong’s story isn’t uncommon. Over 900 miles away in Vietnam’s central highlands, Nối’s mushroom-growing group consistently sells out every harvest thanks to their savvy social media marketing. The mushrooms help feed her family and earn her an extra VND 3 million (about $115) each month. Now, her group buys straw (which they use as a base for their mushroom crops) from other women in the community, creating a new local market and more opportunities.

5. Savings groups help sustain farming communities and global supply chains.

The global market for chocolate products was worth roughly $123 billion in 2024, yet 60% of the world’s cocoa comes from just two countries, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. From chocolate to coffee to cashews and beyond, women farmers supply the world with essential goods. But extreme weather, economic upheaval, and other crises are making it harder for farming families to stay afloat.

Savings groups help connect local communities growing products and the global corporations that sell them. By connecting local producers to financial tools, global markets, and additional ways of earning income, VSLAs are becoming a vital part of how corporations strengthen the supply chains they depend on.

That’s why global companies are investing in savings groups through CARE — because they see that supporting farming communities is not just good for people, but also good for business.

This support is helping many cocoa-growing families diversify their income and invest in their futures. Beatrice from Côte d’Ivoire is one of them.

“We have opened a collective bank account and even obtained a loan of 4 million FCFA ($6,930). This loan helped some maintain their cocoa farms, while others used it to create or increase their businesses,” says Beatrice.

6. Savings groups are a gateway to digital inclusion and innovation.

70% of women entrepreneurs in low-income and emerging economies lack access to financial services. Closing the mobile internet gender gap could add $1.3 trillion to GDP in low- and middle-income countries.

When finance and technology companies design new products with input from savings groups, women receive larger loans, businesses grow, and the ripple effects of women’s achievements build the trust that makes digital finance successful.

CARE partnered with Ensibuuko, a Ugandan FinTech company, to develop Chomoka, a digital record-keeping app for savings groups. Today, Chomoka serves over 131,000 users across six African countries.

Together with women VSLA members, Ensibuuko co-designed a digital loan accessible through the app, specifically tailored for savings groups. By leveraging women’s VSLA histories to create credit scores, the app has enabled members like Grace — a refugee from the DRC who arrived in Uganda with nothing — to qualify for larger loans.

Grace opened a shop and now gives advice along with the goods she sells. She helps other women apply for digital loans and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs as they start their businesses.

“I knew life would be hard starting over, but with the VSLA and Chomoka, I found hope,” says Grace.

Savings groups: A powerful constant in uncertain times

“2025 has been the year that the entire world experienced the uncertainty that VSLA members face daily,” says CARE’s senior director for Global VSLAs, Vidhya Sriram.

“We have seen critical aid organizations collapse and lifesaving assistance cut off from communities in need. Amid it all, VSLAs have continued to meet, save, lend, and forge a future for their members.

“The resilience of these groups is a testament to the power of the collective — nay, the power of women, who are always the first responders and the last to leave any crisis. They remain, and they are the new frontier of development assistance.”

Learn more about the power and resilience of savings groups in CARE’s VSLA Annual Report 2025: From Savings to Shaping Markets.

Elanco announced $400 million in continued investment in its U.S. operations, workforce and communities over the next five years. This deepens Elanco’s commitment to product innovation, advanced manufacturing and its customers – farmers, veterinarians and pet owners. The company will expand its R&D presence in its new Indianapolis global headquarters and surrounding OneHealth Innovation District, while continuing to invest in its U.S.-based manufacturing footprint. Elanco will further invest in its Kansas monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing facility to support innovation, particularly a major next generation immuno-therapeutic pet innovation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted an accelerated pathway for conditional approval of a novel immuno-therapeutic that has the potential to be a first-in-class major pet health blockbuster, expected in the next 2-3 years.

Additionally, as part of the positive engagement with the USDA, Elanco announces significant progress in the final steps of the approval of Befrena™, its newest potential blockbuster product. Review of all technical sections and label alignment is now complete, with the final administrative review underway at the USDA. Befrena has demonstrated differentiated efficacy in treating dogs with allergic dermatitis and canine atopic dermatitis. In both laboratory and field studies, Befrena has shown to be safe and well-tolerated, offering a dependable treatment option for veterinary professionals and pet owners alike. Befrena will offer important efficacy, convenience and value differentiators. Elanco continues to expect a first half 2026 launch.

In connection with these investments, Elanco expects the 2026 net tariff impact to be immaterial to adjusted EBITDA growth, given additional tariff clarity and a positive offset from an incremental price increase.

The combination of a favorable tax environment from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, regulatory reform resulting in improved timelines for USDA regulatory reviews and greater certainty on tariffs has created favorable conditions for the continuation of U.S. investments in R&D and manufacturing, while bringing key innovation capabilities from Europe to the U.S.

Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons joined ‘Mornings with Maria’ on Fox Business to discuss the $400 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and R&D.

Elanco announced $400 million in continued investment in its U.S. operations, workforce and communities over the next five years. This deepens Elanco’s commitment to product innovation, advanced manufacturing and its customers – farmers, veterinarians and pet owners. The company will expand its R&D presence in its new Indianapolis global headquarters and surrounding OneHealth Innovation District, while continuing to invest in its U.S.-based manufacturing footprint. Elanco will further invest in its Kansas monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing facility to support innovation, particularly a major next generation immuno-therapeutic pet innovation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted an accelerated pathway for conditional approval of a novel immuno-therapeutic that has the potential to be a first-in-class major pet health blockbuster, expected in the next 2-3 years.

Additionally, as part of the positive engagement with the USDA, Elanco announces significant progress in the final steps of the approval of Befrena™, its newest potential blockbuster product. Review of all technical sections and label alignment is now complete, with the final administrative review underway at the USDA. Befrena has demonstrated differentiated efficacy in treating dogs with allergic dermatitis and canine atopic dermatitis. In both laboratory and field studies, Befrena has shown to be safe and well-tolerated, offering a dependable treatment option for veterinary professionals and pet owners alike. Befrena will offer important efficacy, convenience and value differentiators. Elanco continues to expect a first half 2026 launch.

In connection with these investments, Elanco expects the 2026 net tariff impact to be immaterial to adjusted EBITDA growth, given additional tariff clarity and a positive offset from an incremental price increase.

The combination of a favorable tax environment from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, regulatory reform resulting in improved timelines for USDA regulatory reviews and greater certainty on tariffs has created favorable conditions for the continuation of U.S. investments in R&D and manufacturing, while bringing key innovation capabilities from Europe to the U.S.

Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons joined ‘Mornings with Maria’ on Fox Business to discuss the $400 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and R&D.

Elanco announced $400 million in continued investment in its U.S. operations, workforce and communities over the next five years. This deepens Elanco’s commitment to product innovation, advanced manufacturing and its customers – farmers, veterinarians and pet owners. The company will expand its R&D presence in its new Indianapolis global headquarters and surrounding OneHealth Innovation District, while continuing to invest in its U.S.-based manufacturing footprint. Elanco will further invest in its Kansas monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing facility to support innovation, particularly a major next generation immuno-therapeutic pet innovation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted an accelerated pathway for conditional approval of a novel immuno-therapeutic that has the potential to be a first-in-class major pet health blockbuster, expected in the next 2-3 years.

Additionally, as part of the positive engagement with the USDA, Elanco announces significant progress in the final steps of the approval of Befrena™, its newest potential blockbuster product. Review of all technical sections and label alignment is now complete, with the final administrative review underway at the USDA. Befrena has demonstrated differentiated efficacy in treating dogs with allergic dermatitis and canine atopic dermatitis. In both laboratory and field studies, Befrena has shown to be safe and well-tolerated, offering a dependable treatment option for veterinary professionals and pet owners alike. Befrena will offer important efficacy, convenience and value differentiators. Elanco continues to expect a first half 2026 launch.

In connection with these investments, Elanco expects the 2026 net tariff impact to be immaterial to adjusted EBITDA growth, given additional tariff clarity and a positive offset from an incremental price increase.

The combination of a favorable tax environment from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, regulatory reform resulting in improved timelines for USDA regulatory reviews and greater certainty on tariffs has created favorable conditions for the continuation of U.S. investments in R&D and manufacturing, while bringing key innovation capabilities from Europe to the U.S.

Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons joined ‘Mornings with Maria’ on Fox Business to discuss the $400 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and R&D.

Originally published on PSEG ENERGIZE!

Every day, the PSEG Foundation supports communities across New Jersey. Through the Neighborhood Partners Program, the Foundation is supporting efforts that provide essentials like baby items, expand job opportunities and provide access to healthy foods for our community members who need it most.

Check out some of the remarkable partners helping families build stability and strength across the Garden State.

Children’s Aid & Family Services

For more than 25 years, Children’s Aid & Family Services in Paramus has helped families in Northern New Jersey care for their children.

With support from the PSEG Foundation, the organization’s Baby Basics Program provides free diapers, baby formula and wipes to families who need them the most. For many parents, access to these essentials can mean not having to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their babies clean, healthy and comfortable.

Under the leadership of President and CEO, Shavonda E. Sumter, the program distributed more than 450,000 diapers to families last year alone. Beyond supplies, the program offers emotional support, referrals and community drives to assist families with young children.

When babies have what they need to thrive, families – and entire communities – grow stronger. Children’s Aid & Family Services is helping make that happen, strengthening families and communities one family at a time.  

Bestwork Industries for the Blind

Founded in Cherry Hill by a veteran injured during World War II, Bestwork Industries for the Blind has been empowering people who are blind or visually impaired since 1981. The organization helps individuals in South Jersey gain skills, confidence and independence through hands-on training and meaningful employment.

With support from the PSEG Foundation, Bestwork repaired a critical 3D Printer used to make workplace equipment more accessible and keep its Training and Employment Program running strong. The program teaches essential skills in textile operations, assembly and mobility, all while providing professional development opportunities that help participants build long-term careers.

Bestwork’s vision is to evolve from a small manufacturing agency into a full-service social enterprise. Together, we’re helping to make that vision a reality so that every individual has the tools, training and confidence to thrive.

HOPES Community Action Partnership

Across Hudson, Union and Somerset Counties, HOPES Community Action Partnership helps thousands of families build financial security, pursue education and live healthier lives.

From early childhood education and tax preparation assistance to senior programs and financial literacy workshops, HOPES empowers families at every stage of life.

With support from the PSEG Foundation, HOPES is also tackling food insecurity through its Food Drive Program, which helps alleviate hunger in overburdened households. This funding enables HOPES to purchase whole, organic and nutrient-rich foods to give families balanced, healthy meals.

It’s about more than filing plates. By increasing access to quality foods, the program is helping families build lasting habits and strengthening communities across our state.

The PSEG Foundation believes that affordability, stability and opportunity go hand in hand. By partnering with organizations dedicated to meeting community needs, we’re helping build a stronger, more resilient New Jersey – one family, one program and one success story at a time. Learn more about the PSEG Neighborhood Partners Program and 2025 grantees here.