How seven Savings Clubs in Maseru are helping young people turn financial knowledge into practical action
In Maseru, Lesotho, seven Savings Clubs are becoming more than places to learn about money. Through Trans Vanguard’s work with schools and communities, young people are moving from saving and budgeting to testing business ideas and building opportunities of their own.
For many young people in Lesotho, unemployment, poverty and limited economic opportunities make it difficult to plan ahead. Limited access to practical financial education can create another barrier.
Trans Vanguard began with a straightforward goal: help young people understand money and make informed decisions. Club members learned to set goals, create budgets, save regularly and manage the resources available to them.
Learning by doing
The Savings Clubs make financial education practical. Members apply lessons to everyday choices instead of treating money management as an abstract subject.
As their confidence grew, members began asking a bigger question: how could their savings and new skills help them earn an income? They started discussing local opportunities, developing business ideas and considering how those ideas could work in practice.
From clubs to incubators
Today, the seven clubs are developing into youth-led business incubators. In simple terms, they give participants a supportive place to explore ideas, learn together and try small ventures.
Young people brainstorm opportunities, test ideas, divide responsibilities and solve problems together. In the process, they build leadership, teamwork and confidence alongside their financial skills.
Growing food and opportunity
One activity involves youth-led regenerative vegetable production. This approach aims to produce food while caring for the soil and natural resources. It connects sustainable agriculture with food security and opportunities to generate income.
The activity also gives participants space to apply planning, saving and teamwork to a real initiative. They can see how practical skills support both personal goals and wider community needs.
More than financial learning
The clubs are also becoming safe spaces for wider conversations. Members discuss life skills, gender equality, mental health and responsible decision-making alongside money and enterprise.
Teachers and parents have begun noticing changes. They have seen greater discipline, stronger aspirations and a clearer sense of direction among participating young people.
Trans Vanguard’s experience shows that financial education can be a starting point for much more. When young people receive practical skills, mentorship and space to experiment, they can move from learning about opportunities to creating them.
The seven Savings Clubs started with budgets and savings goals. They are now helping young people imagine, test and lead their next steps.
Collaboration
For collaboration enquiries, contact:
Trans Vanguard, Lesotho
Felix Letsoela
[email protected]