A rural business borne out of Sacco

NYARUGURU–For the best part of his adult life, Thaddee Ngenzi, was on subsistence income, struggling to take care of his wife and seven children. Working as a technician in his home area of Munini in rural Nyaruguru District, it was a daily struggle to cater for all the family needs. But a ray of hope for improved living conditions appeared when he joined the sector-based Savings and Credits Cooperative (Umurenge SACCO) two years ago.At first, Ngenzi says he was reluctant to open an account with the cooperative over fears that he will not be able to make it operational.But, as sensitisation campaigns among residents intensified, he decided “to take the risk” and opened an account.At the end, he says, “the step I made while opening the account [with SACCO] did change my life and that of my family”.“In 2011, I acquired a small loan of Rwf100 000 and I invested in agriculture and livestock”, the 47-year-old resident of Ngarurira cell narrates.“Then, I started thinking of a bigger project which could make a greater impact on my life and that of the community in general”.Ngenzi says the big challenge he faced was that of the lack of enough funds to start the project.He joined hands with another local resident, but together they could not raise the necessary funds to start.“So, I turned once again to Umurenge SACCO for support”, he remembers. “They gave me a Rwf 2 million loan and, with the money I had saved from my other activities and the shares of my other partner, we started a cleaning company”.The company, Cleaning BAHO Ltd, is currently registered with the Rwanda Development Board and has secured a contract to clean the premises of Munini district hospital, in Nyaruguru.“Besides improving my living conditions, the company also impacted the lives of several residents”“We employ 25 individuals”.“The company continues to grow and I dream to extend its activities to other areas”, Ngenzi says.Ngenzi, now an entrepreneur and a model for other residents of his home area, says he personally earns about Rwf 200 000 a month which he regards as his salary.But, apart from his ‘formal’ business, Ngenzi is also investing in modern agriculture and livestock farming.He says he owns Friesian cows and a number of small animals, including rabbits, goats and chickens.“I want to move from at least 100 goats and 20 rabbits for high productivity”, he says of his small livestock business.But even at a time when he says he is still at the starting point, growth has been observed in his living conditions.“My life has changed completely”, he assures. “I can for instance afford to pay for my children to study in a private school”.“I have also managed to purchase a motorcycle which operates as a taxi. This business also boosts my revenues”, he proudly adds.Initiated by the government in 2008, Umurenge SACCO is a community microfinance programme which seeks to strengthen the financial sector through enabling the general population to have easy access to finance.In total, there are 416 SACCOs spread in each sector across the country.“I have gone a long way in uplifting my living conditions, and all I attained is a result of working with Sacco”, Ngenzi says.“Surely, working with the cooperatives triggers growth and I encourage residents to work with them”.

National

A rural business borne out of Sacco