Michel Nkurunziza<\/b><\/p>\n
Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>A total of 164 field agents, formerly community-based volunteers, have been certified and upgraded to \u2018private service providers\u2019 to improve the sustainability and scalability of the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups in 10 districts where Gikuriro Kuri Bose, a five-year USAID-funded programme operates.<\/p>\n The districts are Nyabihu, Burera, Rulindo, Nyanza, Nyamasheke, Ngoma, Kayonza, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge and Rwamagana.<\/p>\n The programme is implemented by a consortium led by Catholic Relief Services, and four consortium members that include Humanity Inclusion (HI), UMUHUZA, Three Stones International (TSI), University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) and four sub-partners: CARITAS, African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE), Young Women Christian Association (YWCA), and Duharanire Amajyambere y\u2019Icyaro – Association pour le De\u0301veloppement Rural Inte\u0301gre\u0301 (DUHAMIC-ADRI).<\/p>\n The goal of this programme is to enhance the health, functioning, nutritional status, and well-being of women of reproductive age and children under six years old, with a focus on the 1,000-day period. It also seeks to promote the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities, as well as improve positive parenting and child development.<\/p>\n In Rwamagana District, last week, the Gikuriro Kuri Bose provided certificates to 28 field agents that support 1,147 Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups comprising 30,339 members, of whom 27,565 are women.<\/p>\n These Saving and Internal Lending Communities groups allow parents to save and access loans that enable them to meet their families\u2019 nutritional needs and start income-generating activities.<\/p>\n The SILC groups created a transformational change by improving access to savings, loans, or share-out profit, enhancing community investment in small businesses, improving food purchases, access to livestock, agriculture inputs, land and housing improvements.<\/p>\n As of June 2023, in 10 districts where Gikuriro Kuri Bose operates, there are 8,039 savings groups with 210,101 members, of whom 184,507 are women, that saved up to 1,929 Million RWF with more than 80% of the savings given out to members as loans.<\/p>\n The private service providers (PSPs) will continue to provide SILC groups with financial services and management advice. They will also offer support on how to start income-generating activities and connect them with financial service providers such as banks and micro-finances for accessing their services.<\/p>\n \u201cThe field agents were trained and coached in a period of one year after which they went through a certification exam before getting certified as private services providers. They will continue to improve people\u2019s welfare through savings and lending education. In addition to the existing savings groups, they will also help to create new Savings and Internal Lending groups in the community.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will link the groups to financial institutions and help create small income-generating activities that create jobs,\u201d said Emmanuel Nsengiyumva, Cluster Manager of the USAID-funded Gikuriro Kuri Bose programme.<\/p>\n Some of the 164 field agents, formerly community-based volunteers, certified and upgraded to \u2018private service providers\u2019<\/p>\n He said the agents were also trained in constructing kitchen gardens, preparing balanced diets, promoting gender equity, combating gender-based violence and family conflicts, and including people with disabilities, among other things.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope that under the support of the private service providers, there will be more savings and lending groups created to ensure food security and improved nutrition at the family level and help reduce poverty,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The SILC group members observe how their involvement has impacted their lives by granting them loan access, enhancing their families\u2019 nutrition, and enabling them to initiate businesses.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have gained the capacity to create and promote savings and lending groups which will help increase food security and families\u2019 economic development while promoting gender equality. We can create business plans for small income-generating projects. We have gained financial literacy and bookkeeping skills,\u201d said Cyprien Habineza, a certified private service provider.<\/p>\n He said that skills in making kitchen gardens will eradicate malnutrition and that they started an initiative of having one chicken per family to provide eggs amongst SILC groups\u2019 members.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also have a target to buy one cow per family for SILC members,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The private service providers have committed to meeting every month to share experiences on how to improve group performances.<\/p>\n \u201cWe commend Gikuriro Kuri Bose and its partners for the support,\u201d Habineza said.<\/p>\n Jeannette Mukabakina, a certified private service provider from Muyumbu sector, Rwamagana District, added: \u201cI acquired skills on how to design a business plan for a small income-generating activity. Members of the groups I support are already making baskets, bags, soaps and more. Some are in agribusiness.\u201d<\/p>\n Prudenciene Nyirabujangwe, a member of a SILC group in Rwamagana District, said the groups have ensured food security and good nutrition in the families.<\/p>\n \u201cWhenever I have any need, I acquire a loan from the group and pay after three months. The group helps me afford nutritious food for my granddaughter with a disability,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Theoneste Ntirenganya, another member said he used loans from the SILC group for his family\u2019s well-being and development.<\/p>\n \u201cI renovated my house and its value increased from Rwf10 million to Rwf20 million. As men, we have also formed a sub-group aiming to promote gender education among fellow men and to combat gender-based violence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, the mayor of Rwamagana District, said the savings groups are helping residents escape poverty.<\/p>\n Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, the mayor of Rwamagana District, said the savings groups are helping residents escape poverty.<\/p>\n \u201cGikuriro Kuri Bose has created jobs and businesses in Rwamagana. The programme is in line with our vision to eradicate poverty and ensure self-reliance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Gikuriro Kuri Bose currently has 2.17 million participants nationwide, with 416,791 children under the age of six. The programme encourages community involvement, allowing participants to engage in integrated nutrition and health promotion activities that enhance their overall health and well-being.<\/p>\n The programme is implemented by a consortium led by Catholic Relief Services<\/p>\n Some of the 164 field agents, formerly community-based volunteers, certified and upgraded to \u2018private service providers\u2019. Photos by Emmanuel Dushimimana<\/p>\n Gikuriro Kuri Bose provided certificates to 28 field agents that support 1,147 Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups comprising 30,339 members, of whom 27,565 are women in Rwamagana District<\/p>\n Officials pose for a group photo with some of 164 field agents, formerly community-based volunteers, who were certified and upgraded to \u2018private service providers\u2019 to improve the sustainability and scalability of the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) groups. All Photos by Emmanuel Dushimimana<\/p>\n\r\n