Iringa Hope visits 2013: On to Kiponzero

When we left Wasa we headed back the way we came, a 90 minute drive down a narrow, bumpy road. On our drive Itiweni and Brown, who are both in the Cathedral choir, started to sing. As the road got rougher they sang louder. Pretty soon Sandy had the camera out and started filming them – or at least tried to. Bam – we hit a puddle and there was mud all over the car (again).

We arrived at Kiponzero just minutes before a group from Gustavus Adolphus Church in St. Paul, the church from the St. Paul Synod that is partnered with Kiponzero. They are interested in learning a bit more about micro finance. They are accompanied by the pastor from Kihesa, who is serving as their translator on this trip, and his delightful daughter.

We went to the church to start our meeting. There were about 60 people in attendance (including children and secondary school students) here for the meeting. Itiweni gave a class on how to start a SACCOS. She covered the organization, the constitution, the basics of loans, etc. There were a lot of very good questions. What are the criteria for membership? How much are entry fees? How many members should we start with? And so on. At one point the group got excited and started singing (The theme of the song they were singing was roughly that you need to work towards your goal or you will get in trouble)

We finished up the meeting and went into lunch while the group continued on with an organizational meeting . While we ate we asked a few questions. How much had they collected so far? About 1,000,000 Tsc had been collected for their SACCOS. How many wanted to join? About 80 had said they would join (we advised that 40-50 was perhaps a better size to start with.) How did they know to call us? They all listen to Radio Furaha and like our program. Will they come to the training session at Kihesa? “Can we send more than three” was their reply.

At the end of our meal the pastor brought out a bowl and set it down. He told us they were talking a collection for their SACCOS in the church and wanted to know if we would contribute. Tom told him that we (Iringa Hope) will send 3,200,000 Tsc if they get their work done this year. Everyone one got very excited. Tom challenged Pastor Bonnie to match that amount and after a momentary pause she said “I will match this!” Everyone was very excited. This SACCOs now has the funding it needs to get started. Now they need to get their training and organization in order.

We headed back to town and the group from Gustavus was off to visit preaching points. Tomorrow is Sunday and we are sleeping in.

It is a pretty drive back along the ridges.

Itiweni and Brown struck up a song along the way. Then we went through the next puddle!

We got to the church just before the group from Gustavus arrived.

There was a large crowd for our meeting.

We started the meeting with a song. Brown, Margaret, and Peter thought it was funny that Tom knew the words and was singing along. (He is sooo bad at Swahili they find it funny,)

Everyone appreciated Sandy's Swahili sayings. Our intern Margaret said she was going to be listening to mama very carefully to see if she got them right (she did).