Today we are at Ng'ang'ange

When we first arrived in Iringa (it seems like a long, long time ago – but it has only been four weeks) we discovered that there were a few new villages that wanted us to come and talk with them.  One which was very eager to talk with us was Ng'ang'ange.  Ng'ang'ange lies in the highlands about a 2 hour drive from Iringa.  It is on the road to Bomalang'ombe, another new village for us.  So this morning we were off to visit both villages.  Professor Gilman Nyambi, from the University of Iringa accompanied us today.

The drive to Ng'ang'ange is very pretty.  The day started off clear and bright.  We headed towards Kilolo, a road we have been on several times recently.  We stopped in Kidabaga to ask directions, then noticed a sign right next to where we had stopped that pointed the way. 

Down another rutted, dirt road; past a number of small villages; over a few hills; past a few trucks (some of them stalled in the road); and finally up a hill on a walking path – and we were there.  It really is pretty here, but there were many people wanting to greet us, so we didn’t have much time to take in the views. 

The pastor, Nebu Mgugile, here is new here, having been assigned to this parish only 2 months ago.  He was ordained a few years ago and this is his second congregation.  He told us that he is very excited about having an Iringa Hope SACCOS here.  He was the treasurer at the SACCOS at Ipogolo when he was an evangelist there and saw what their SACCOS did for the members and the community.  His congregation here has an average income of about $400/year (just a little above average for this area) and he wants to see them have a chance at improving their futures.

The general meeting began shortly after our arrival and they were very anxious to get started.  There were over 50 people in attendance today and they were a very serious group.

We went through our introductions and explanations.  When Tom told the group that a generous donor has sent them 2,000,000 TZS to help them get started there was lots of applause and ululating.  He told them that it is up to them to raise 3,000,000 TZS (about $2,000) more to reach the required capital for register. 

Peter presented a class on how to organize their SACCOS and how to handle their money and their loans.  There were a lot of questions about interest and length of loans, and everyone wonders about where the money goes when they buy shares. 

We learned that there is a privately owned lending group in the village but loans are for very short periods and have an interest rate of 15% per month. 

The pastor then shared his experiences with the Iringa Hope SACCOS in Ipogolo and told them it is the best thing he has seen and that it is for everyone in their village, not only the Lutherans. 

Finally the Ward Executive came to the front of the room and spoke to the group.  He told everyone that he has been asking about Iringa Hope and has been told that it is the best program in the region.  He is planning on joining and is ready to put his money in.

We invited them to send 3 leaders for training at our session in a few weeks.  The meeting continued as we were leaving.  They were going to choose 3 leaders and start making a plans for how to raise the 3,000,000 TZS they need.

We left Ng'ang'ange and headed towards Bomalang'ombe.  We are confident that this group will work at raising their funds.  

We passed through many picturesque villages.

Then we turned onto a foot path for a drive up the hill.

Tom loved the scenery and started taking pictures while Sandy and Peter greeted people.

It is a truly beautiful view from up here.

The hills this time of year are very green and the huts blend in beautifully.

There was a large group gathered.  Currently the only option in town is a Catholic agency that charges 15% a month.  What?  That's right 15% a month.

Peter went thorough how to raise money and finish organizing.  We invited them to send 3 leaders to training later on this month.  (After we left the meeting they stayed to choose three leaders to go to training and make a plan to start raising funds.)

There were lots of questions about what happens to their savings and the interest they pay on loans.  Currently the Catholic group takes the money out of the village and no one here gets any benefit.  Everyone was very excited when we told them it all stayed here in their SACCOS which they own!

The Ward Executive is joining this group.  He told them that this is the best thing he has seen anywhere in his region.  He went on to tell them that they were foolish if they did not start raising money right now.  (He waived his fees and said he was ready to put money in.)

As we were leaving we waved good bye to the women working in the garden.  They had already made their pledges to help fund the SACCOS.

It was down the road to Bomalang'ombe.