Micro-finance coop extends a hand to Genocide survivors

STAFF MEMBERS of the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (Amir) have donated food items and bicycles worth Rwf1 million to Genocide survivors in Nyagasozi Village, Gacurabwenge Sector in Kamonyi District. The 10 families, grouped under Komezubupfura Association, were also helped to open a group account with a sector-based Savings and Credit Cooperative (Umurenge Sacco).The benefactors credited the group account with Rwf70,000 as a start-up deposit. While speaking at the handover ceremony at the weekend, Ritha Ngarambe AMIR Executive Secretary said the donations are “a sign of supporting and walking together with the genocide survivors.”“We want to extend our family and bring you onboard. We are part of one family and we shall continue walking together towards a better life,” Ngarambe said. Savings cultureShe said by helping the survivors to open up a group account, they wanted to foster the savings culture among them. “We hope these bikes will help you generate revenues and that part of it should be deposited on this account,” she said encouraging them to embrace the saving culture if they were to prepare for their future life. JMV Matendeli, the representative of Komezubupfura association, expressed gratitude for the generosity. “This is a sign that some people out there think about us and it attests of love as a unifying force between humans,” he said. “We are grateful for the donation and we look forward to making proceeds from it.” Started in 2007, Amir is the umbrella body for micro-finance institutions in Rwanda that seeks to build capacity in the micro-finance industry in the country. Currently, it has 62 active members.

National

Micro-finance coop extends a hand to Genocide survivors