In 2013, Tharcisse Sebera and his neighbours with support of SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda Family Strengthening program formed a Village Savings and Loan Associations.

All of the members of Village Savings and Loan Association were in category 1 under the social programme, Ubudehe. They were determined to change the lives of their children.

As rural men, he had to struggle very hard with his family to raise and educate his children Sebera said during the celebration of their annual share-out ceremony that took place on 27th June 2022 in Nyamagabe District South Province of Rwanda.

Throughout the year, the saving group members saved Rwf 213 million that they invested in their children and improving the families’ living conditions.

The Chairman of the VSLAs umbrella in Kitabi and Gasaka Sector Tharcisse Sebera said, “The poverty destroyed the togetherness of the family and created instability in the family. Those issues expose our children to several risks including school dropout and unwanted pregnancy.”

Tharcisse added that they used to live from their small land that produced so little that even getting food for home consumption was a problem, let alone affording basic needs for their family.

Fortunately, SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda established the Village Savings and Loan Association which became a source of income.

He said our motto is to save together for the better future of our children,”
“We couldn’t afford to care properly for our children, and they were not attending school regularly but after joining VSLAs our life changed. Now our children attend attend school,” added Tharcisse.

Together with fellow women and men from the VSLA, they decided to change their way of living for the better and bring love in their families.
And this brought the birth of 49 village savings and loan associations in Gasaka and Kitabi Sectors. Every time they meet a minimum, Rwf200 for saving is contributed by every member.

The Rwf200 is a basic share. One can have as many shares depending on their financial capacity.

“We are progressing and there is hope for a better future.” Tharcisse added.

A women’s testimony

“I joined VSLAs when I was very poor, I started saving from minimum share of Rwf 200 every week but now, I managed to build a business house. I gained a lot of money from it. Most of the women no longer depend on our husbands but we complement them instead. ”Josee Uwitonze said.

Agnes Mukaruyonza said, “ When I joined the VSLA my dream came true, I have renovate my house and brought electricity and water at the same time.”
Jean Bosco Kwizera, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda, said SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda supports vulnerable families. Our main role is to strengthen families for the well-being of our children. This is a great achievement collecting Rwf 213 million which will help paying school fees and other essentials for children.

He said that initially, people were convinced that one could not save, saying that they did not even have enough money to sustain their families on a daily basis.
“This has progressively changed. Members of the saving groups lead better livelihoods,” he said.

Thadée Habimana, the vice mayor for economic development thanked SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda for supporting vulnerable families. Thadee said, “The SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda is one of the reliable partners that supports vulnerable children and families as well.”

He added that the district will continue to support savings groups..
There are 49 village saving groups comprising over 1,309 members in two sectors of Gasaka and Kitabi.

About the association

VSLAs is a group of people who save together and take small loans from those savings. The activities of the group run in cycles of one year, after which the accumulated savings and the loan profits are distributed among members.

The purpose of a VSLA is to provide simple savings and loan facilities in a community that does not have easy access to formal financial services.

The SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda through its program of Family Strengthening Program established VSLAs in Gasaka and Kitabi in 2013. Throughout nine years, Rwf 904 million have been collected and shared within the members of the VSLAs