Starting Up At Kitasengwa

Today we were off to Kitasengwa.  Kitasengwa is a new location for us.  The pastor had called Itiweni and then had written her a letter asking us to please come and see them.  He said they had formed a group of about 30 who really wanted to start a SACCOS.  To get to Kitasengwa we went down the hill and headed west towards Ihemi.  It was about an hour and twenty minute drive.  When we got to the turn-off one of the evangelists was waiting to show us the way.  He said they were afraid we might get lost and not come.  He ran along in front of the car so we could follow him through the brush to the pastor’s house.

When we got to the pastor’s house he and his wife were waiting for us.  They were very gracious and very happy we had come.  Three of the neighbor children were also there waiting – so Tom had to give them candy of course!

We were guest of the pastor for chai, at which time we discussed the reasons they want a SACCOS here.  According to the pastor their average income here is less than $300/year.  The farmers that make up his congregation (they are 90% farmers) have seen the CVP crops and now know what to do to increase their yields, but only a very few have been able to get the capital to do so.  He told us that there are some SACCOS in the area but they are all private and only will give loans for 1-3 months – and then at interest rates of 10%/month.  Some of his members have joined the three SACCOS in Ifundi (a neighboring village) and borrow from one to pay the other so that they have loans for 6-8 months.  This costs them 80% or so in interest and is just too risky.  Pride and BRAC are also in Ifundi and some have tried working with them, but once again the loans are for just a few months at 5-10% interest rates and just don’t work for the farmers.  Some of his members have relatives in one of the Iringa Hope SACCOS locations and have heard about how we work.  They have told the pastor they need to have one of our SACCOS here. 

We walked to the church after chai.  It was a 20 minute walk through the fields.  As we walked the Pastor pointed out a field with maize 6 feet tall.  “That man has relatives in another village that sent him the money to plant using the CVP methods.  We think he will make over 1,600,000 Tsc ($1,000) this year.”  He then pointed at a field across the road.  “That is like most of the member’s fields.  He may make 450,000 Tsc (less than $300) from it this year.”  The corn in that field was only a foot or so.

When we got to the church the members were still gathering.  Right next door is the old church where the children meet.  We could hear them repeating a counting lesson in English so we went to see.  Sandy tried to get them to count to twenty with her in Swahili – but they were all too taken with watching her (“a Wazungu” one said).  The teacher then had them start counting in English for us.  They did a great job – only missing one number (watch the video to see which one)!

By now the group had gathered.  There were 19 who had stopped work to come and talk with us.  We gave them a greeting and told them briefly what Iringa Hope was.  Then Itiweni told them about how to form a SACCOS, what our constitution said (there were many cheers as she told them that they owned the SACCOS), and how to form a SACCOS.  Her class lasted about two hours.  There were many questions and a lot of happy faces.  At one point the group broke out in song!  At the end they decided to vote on officers right then and start collecting money.

We invited the new officers to join us at our upcoming 4-day training session.  Tom told them that they would need to raise about 5,000,000 Tsc for capital.  He then told him that if they really wanted to have a SACCOS and would work to raise their funds he would work to raise 3,200,000 Tsc for them.  Hopefully they will be able to raise the 1,800,000 they need to get a SACCOS up and running at Kitasengwa.

Our final task following the meeting was to offer reading glasses to any who felt they needed them.  There were about a half dozen people who came forward, tried on the different strengths and received a pair.  After we finished handing them out, a woman came forward to tell us that she was an evangelist and had considered retiring from her position because she could no longer see to read her Bible.  Receiving these glasses would enable her to continue in her service.  It is humbling to know that such a small gesture on our part had made such a huge difference in her life. 

We had lunch with the pastor and his wife before driving back to Iringa.  Itiweni and her interns declined our offers to give them rides home.  I think they feel that us old folks needed to rest after the last three days of village visits.  (Tom gave them rides anyway.)

Tom gave the neighbor children candy.  Sandy and Margaret tried to get them to say something - they were too shy.

The Pastor and his wife were waiting to greet us.

Our two interns were taking notes today so they can help organize SACCOS in the future.

The pastor told us why they wanted an Iringa Hope SACCOS here.  Although we are here to help our members grow and improve their lives, we want to make sure that existing alternatives have been considered.

As we walked to church the pastor pointed out this filed of maize.  "This man will make 1,600,000 Tsc this year ($1,000)."  He was able to get a loan from relatives.

Across the road this member could not get a loan.  He will most likely make less than $300.

The new church is very pretty, but it is along walk.

The old church is used for classes for the children.

Sandy heard the children counting in English and went to see.

Sandy and Itiweni gave greetings.  Then Itiweni gave a short (2 hour) class on how to start a SACCOS.

Everyone was very attentive.

At one point the group broke into song.

They elected officers.  They will join our training program next month.

Sandy and Itiweni fitted people for glasses.  This evangelist asked to speak to us afterwards.  She said she was going to retire because she could no longer read the Bible.  She is so happy that now she will not have to!

We walked back to the Pastor's house and had lunch.

Then it was down the road and back to town.