Itungi - Things are looking good

Today we went out to Itungi.  This is our fourth visit to Itungi on Iringa Hope business (Itiweni and Peter have been here more often than this, we only visit once a year).  This village has had a difficult time coming up with strong leaders, and our first few visits were discouraging in this regard.   Now, however, they seem to have a working group of leaders and an enthusiastic group of members.

Itungi is located a few kilometers south of Ilula.  Arriving there we were met by a small group of members and the Pastor.  This is a small SACCOS, but a big percentage of the members (92%) were in attendance.  The Itungi SACCOS now has 28 members with 10 more working on joining.  They told us that now that they have had their first round of loans there are many people asking about joining. According to the pastor there are 250-270 families in the parish (including 6 preaching points) so they are already reaching over 10% of their parishioners.  With 28 members they are reaching 168 people in this parish.

Following brief updates by Tom and Peter, the members were invited to ask questions.  The treasurer opened this part of the meeting.  She is the strongest of the officers and is a very impressive lady.  The questions she asked were questions that she has been asked by the SACCOS members.  She asked how funds were borrowed, what the rules are for borrowers and how they worked.  She was wondering if the Coop officer got any of their money and how they could convert from a “Group” to a SACCOS.  Peter answered all of the questions and gave everyone a lesson on how things worked and how to get the most out of their loans.  

When we were finished with our meeting the SACCOS members held their own meeting.  We took this time to interview two of the members.  The first person we interviewed was Alex Nyawlingo, 40 years old, married with 3 children.  Alex has been a member of this SACCOS for 2 years now.  His first loan was for $130.  He used his loan to plant beans on an acre of his land.  After selling his beans and repaying his loan he made a profit of $270 – very good!  He told us he used his profits to send his children to school this year.  His second loan was for the same amount ($130) as last year.  His crop is still in the ground so he does not yet know what his profit will be, but it is looking very good so he thinks he will do better than last year.

We next interviewed Atuhombye Kulanga, 50 years old, married with 5 children.  Although her children are grown, she and her husband are supporting her daughter and two grandchildren.  She too has been a member of the SACCOS for 2 years.  She told us that her first loan was for $100.  She used this loan to buy fertilizer and seed for ½ acre.  Because of her loan she was able to use the CVP method of farming and she harvested what was for her a record crop of 10 bags from a half acre.  After repaying her loan and all costs she earned $100 profit.  (Maize prices were way down last year, so her profit wasn’t as much as she would have liked.)  She put her profit into her SACCOS account, allowing her to take out a larger loan ($200) this year which she used to plant maize and tomatoes. 

Over chai at the pastor’s house he told us that he is very happy with the gains that his congregation is making from their SACCOS.  Last year their SACCOS earned almost 1,600,000 TZS profit (about $1,000) and offerings at the church are up.  Overall their average loan last year was for $220.  The Pastor and the treasurer asked us about borrowing more capital from Iringa Hope, and of course we told them that we would do the best that we could for them.  They were also worried about admitting more members.  We told them that if the people who wanted to join were trustworthy and would benefit the SACCOS, it would be good to have them as members.

We left with a good feeling about this group.  It has taken them awhile to reach the point where they are at, but now they seem to be heading in the right direction.  The treasurer is a real treasure and the members who have gotten loans are reaping the benefits of belonging to their SACCOS.

We were greeted by Pastor Kikoti and some of the SACCOS members.

We thought that the hoe and the motorcycle made an interesting contrast.

Peter was with us today and answered many questions.  Over 90% of the members were there.

The treasurer asked many questions.  She is clearly a leader here and is a very impressive lady.

Tom gave this little girl some candy.  After she eat her candy she kept running back and forth peeking at us.

We interviewed Alex Nyawlingo first.  He is 40 years old, married, and has 3 children.  Alex has been a member of this SACCOS for 2 years now.  

We next interviewed Atuhombye Kulanga.  She is 50 years old, married, and has 5 children.  Although her children are grown, she and her husband are supporting her daughter and two grandchildren.  She too has been a member of the SACCOS for 2 years.