IBYIRINGIRO (Hope) Self-Help Group

On Monday 21st of July 4 members of our team were lucky enough to be taken out by Madame Donatile - one of the AEE staff -  to visit the IBYRINGIRO self-help group set up just down the road from where we are staying. This self-group was set at as a savings and loans project, whereby each member contributes a certain amount each month to the group which is then given out in the form of loans in order to improve and create the members businesses.

The Hope Co-Operative Meeting being led by President Vincent

The IBYRINGIRO (Hope) group has been set up in the Kanombe district. The group was originally formed in 2007 with 48 members, later in 2013 the group split into two - one of which became the Hope savings and loans group which currently has 16 members; in this group there are 14 women and 2 men.  The group is thriving; July is the closing of the annual reports and they are ecstatic that not one member has any loan left to pay off. Furthermore in their accounts they have 420,000 RWF which they can use to invest in new projects such a clothes and charcoal selling.

The way in which the group creates these substantial savings is through a system where the group meets twice a month and each member contributes 1,100 RWF - 1000 goes into the main budget, and the remaining 100 goes into a pot for emergencies. AEE has trained the members of the group in how to manage their budgets, and how to create sustainable savings plans which can be used to transform the lives of those who are a part of the group. 

Anne Marie who is the group's treasurer, she deals with the accounts and money

The Hope co-operative has had a massively positive impact on the lives of it's members. They are now all able to pay for health insurance as well as school fees and scholastic materials. Additionally they no longer find it hard or struggle to get accommodation. The members of this group are no longer facing major challenges in day to day living. AEE has created independence for them meaning they are not reliant on AEE for help, instead AEE helps to facilitate change through teaching new skills and abilities.

Claudilida being interviewed by our team leader David

During our trip to the IBYRINGIRO group we interviewed one of the members Claudilida Uwitonze and asked her to tell us how this project has impacted on her life. She is a charcoal seller and through the savings and lending scheme she has been able to vastly improve her financial standing and stability. Moreover she has been able to invest in a piece of land and a new house for her and her family. She can now pay for sufficient food and clothing, as well as health insurance. This group has allowed her to create a savings account for her children therefore by the time they come to secondary school age she will be able to pay for their fees without any difficulties. As well as providing Claudilda with these physical and monetary benefits, the group has abolished her loneliness and isolation whilst furthering her knowledge and understanding of business skills and tools.

It was truly amazing to be able to see the difference that our partner organisation AEE was having in the community. The way in which their projects create independence for their members is awe inspiring and demonstrates the sustainable nature of their work. The Hope co-operative is giving it's members dignity, pride, self-confidence and a safe network. We cannot wait to work more closely with this group and other similar projects in the near future.