Studies show savings empowers individuals and communities. Across rural Africa, theft is prevalent and banks are practically non-existent. The lack of secure places to store cash increases vulnerability to theft and temptation to spend. This makes it difficult for rural people to save the money they work so hard to earn. Transporting cash over long distances to make payments is dangerous and incurs substantial costs further reducing the amount of money rural people are able to save. Read more here: http://www.smartmoneyinternational.com/savings-studies/