VSLAs (Villages Saving and Loans Associations) are self-managed savings groups that receive no external funding. The savings accumulated within each group are used to finance small loans to members. Each group sets its own rules for membership, savings, and loans. This model, first introduced in 1991 by CARE International in West Africa and adapted over the years, has proven to be an efficient way to ensure that poor people have access to appropriate financial services while learning the rules of sound financial management.
An assertion understood by Iprosarude (Initiative pour la Promotion de la Santé Rurale et le Développement) because, since July 2016 to date, more than 510 VSLAs have been trained in 3 provinces of Burundi; Mwaro, Gitega and Kayanza.
It is about the promotion of savings and credit through the project “Nawe Nuze” in order to help the local population, especially women and young people who are disadvantaged to develop, to become more involved in the financial management of their households, and to give some economic autonomy to women in relation to their husbands.
Each VSLA meets successively once a week on the hill to discuss the progress of the activities. They are learning and financial empowerment meetings, according to Dr. Jean Pierre Ndayirukiye, Executive Director of Iprosarude.
Mwaro Province visited on October 9, 2020
“In these VSLAs, not only is it an opportunity to work as a team to save and receive credits but also meetings to be informed about their sexual and reproductive health, to promote social cohesion, the management of their menstruation in dignity, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the fight against SGBV (Sexual and Gender Based Violence) as well as barrier measures against the new coronavirus (COVID-19)”. Said Dr. Jean Pierre,.
Anitha Mukeshimana, 28 years old, is a member of the VSLA called Turimaso, Kibogoye hill, Kayokwe commune of the Mwaro province. For her, regularly saving a small amount of money and in the long run receiving credit has been very advantageous: “I am currently financially independent in certain areas. On top of that, I have developed good relationships with the members who are from my hill. I benefit from the knowledge about the new coronavirus and I have understood that family planning helps us to have good health and avoid risky pregnancies. Many thanks to Iprosarude. »
She shares the same point of view with Marceline Ngendabanka, 50 years old, Gitega. “Thanks to the VSLA I contribute to the expenses of the house. Today I feel very valued by my husband. I manage to find enough money to pay for my children’s education. In the VSLA I learn to design small projects, especially knowledge related to reproductive health, and I try to sensitize my children and other neighbors,” added Mrs. Ngendabanka.
It is reported that Iprosarude intends to train VSLA in all its provinces of intervention: Gitega, Kayanza, Mwaro, Makamba, Bubanza and Cibitoke. The aim is to contribute to the financial empowerment of households.
E. Allickan Niragira
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