Rightsholders from traditional authority Kachere have been trained on how to effectively manage their Savings and Loans Groups (SLGs), including group dynamics through core support from IM Swedish Development Partner.
These trained rightsholders come from three Group Village Heads (GVHs) of Fosa, Kachere, and Mkhoma Wanthu, where YICOD is implementing interventions aimed at enhancing nutrition, economically empowering rightsholders, and building their resilience against climate change.
Through these trainings, the rightsholders have learned how to lead their SLGs, resolve and manage conflicts within their groups, and record and maintain information to ensure the SLGs remain functional and beneficial for members' economic empowerment.
Leaders of the SLGs have also been equipped with leadership skills, including how to improve effective communication within their groups.
Tiliya Salatiyeri from Chingwalu Village in GVH Fosa expressed her satisfaction with the training, saying it will help them improve their operations and inspire others to join or form new groups.
“This training is very important as it has equipped us with new knowledge on how we can operate our SLGs effectively. You know, through these SLGs, we can save our income and borrow when needed for our households’ livelihood. This will inspire others to join us or form new groups,” she said.
One of the youths from GVH Kachere, Chikondi Mathews Banda, stated that with the skills and knowledge gained, they will change many aspects of their SLG within their Maonde Youth Club.
“We have been following procedures that were not relevant to managing SLGs; now we will sit down and strategise on how to manage our savings and loans better at our youth club,” said the 27-year-old.
During the training in GVH Mkhoma Wanthu, YICOD’s Project Officer, Sheripher Dassu, encouraged the rightsholders to regularly save their income, emphasizing its importance in building financial resilience and stability, which can also enable them to invest in businesses and their children’s education.
“Through these groups, we can gain control over our financial lives and make informed decisions about our money. Let’s be saving our money, which can enable us to invest in small businesses that will generate income, helping us in many ways, including supporting our children’s education,” she said.
