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Women's Mentorship Program Alumni Updates
| Women's Mentorship Program Alumni Updates |
Ruth Kaseregenyi, Uganda
| Since returning to her credit union as a graduate of the Women's Mentorship Program in June 2010, Ruth Kaseregenyi, general manager of Rushere Savings and Credit Co-operative (SACCO) in Western Uganda has overseen drastic growth in her credit union. When CCA met with Ruth at Rushere SACCO in January 2011, Ruth reported a 13.5% increase in membership since June across the SACCO's five branches. She was also pleased to report that the SACCO's repayment rate had improved by 35%, from a low of 42% to 79%. Not satisfied with these gains, "Our target is to get to 90% repayment rate in the next year," reported Ruth, "I now go to the field with the Credit Officer to recover defaulted money - these recovery strategies and skills came from my learning in Canada". Ruth also plans to computerize the book of accounts, expand the premises and organize information exchanges with sister credit unions. On a personal level, Ruth believes that the program has increased her confidence, something which has allowed her to more easily gain the support of her staff. More information about Ruth's progress can be found here. |
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Maggie Maglass, Malawi
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Maggie Maglass of the Reserve Bank of Malawi Savings and Credit Co-operative (SACCO) graduated from the Women's Mentorship Program in June 2010. Since returning Maggie's credit union has developed a business plan and has introduced improved record keeping and loan policies which have reduced delinquency. Two additional staff members, a loans offcer and a cashier have also been hired and Maggie plans to improve women's participation in the SACCO. The credit union is also considering new premises and opening their bond of membership to the wider community. More information on Maggie's progress can be found here.
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Grace Modekayi, Malawi
A graduate of the 2010 Women's Mentorship Program, Grace Modekayi of Auction Holdings Employees Savings and Credit Co-operative (SACCO) has used the skills she gained from the program to help build a 3-year strategic plan for her credit union. She has also seen a 37% increase in membership since her return, despite the bond only being open only to employees of Auction Holdings Ltd. Grace is focusing on increasing women's participation and better marketing the credit union. When CCA visited her in January 2011, she indicated that in general she feels more confident as a manager. More information on Grace's progress can be found here.
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Edith Awula Nangobi, Uganda
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Edith Awula Nangobi of the Kamuli Twisania Savings and Credit Co-operative (SACCO) in Southern Uganda is a graduate of the 2010 Women's Mentorship Program. When CCA caught up with Edith in January, she was happy to report that since her participation in the Women's Mentorship Program, Kamuli Twisania SACCO had become the lead credit union in the district and has increased its membership by 9.6%. Since returning, Edith has also seen the acquisition of new accounting software, has improved filing systems and has incorporated regular monitoring and evaluation procedures. In the future Edith looks forward to expanding the SACCO's financial literacy programs, particularly those that reach women, youth and those living with HIV/AIDS. More information on Edith's progress can be found here. |
Pilirani Kolove, Malawi
Since graduating from the Women's Mentorship Program in 2007, Pilirani Kolove of Chitukoko Savings and Credit Co-operative (SACCO) has seen her credit union grow to be one of the largest in the country with over 4,000 members and over 40% of members being women. The payroll based employee SACCO has expanded to two branches, on in the capital of Lilongue and one in the city of Blantyre. When CCA spoke with Pilirani in the spring of 2011, she said that she dedicates much of her time to growing financial literacy among Malawi's youth, showing them the importance of saving regularly, borrowing wisely and repaying promptly. Pilirani has also put into place more stringent monitoring and controls, in the process reducing the amount lost to delinquency from approximately $19,100(CDN) to $6,336(CDN) through the introduction of delinquency notes and a history of delinquent notes. More information on Pilirani's progress can be found here.
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Margaret Ocitti-Atek, Uganda
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| A graduate of the 2007 Women's Mentorship Program, Margaret Ocitti-Atek of Kitgum Savings and Credit Co-operative (SACCO) in Uganda used what she learned during her time in Canada to improve the loan application & review process and was able to reduce her SACCO's delinquency rate. When CCA met with Margaret in March 2008, she reported that her delinquency rate had dropped from 10% to 7%, that SACCO had adopted PEARLS benchmarking standards and that a new Asset and Liability Management Policy as well as a marketing plan had been introduced into their day-to-day operations. Margaret also excitedly noted that, "Professionally the program made me a better manager. I receive more respect from the board and my colleagues and they have been receptive to changes I have introduced." Along with her fellow Uganda program alumni, Margaret formed a credit union managers association (CUMA) to further share lessons learned and best practices. More information on Margaret's progress can be found here. |
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Itai Teclah Msiska, Malawi
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Since returning to Karonga Teacher's SACCO (Savings and Credit Co-operative) following her participation of the 2005 edition of the Women's Mentorship Program, Itai Teclah Msiska has faced tremendous obstacles including an earthquake in 2009. Despite these obstacles, Itai has seen her credit union grow and prosper tremendously through the introduction of the best practices to which she was introduced while in Canada. Having merged with another SACCO, Karonga Teacher's SACCO now has 4 branches and has opened their bond of membership in an effort to further attract new members. Itai has also arranged for insurance to cover employees, assets and computer losses and has introduced a policy of documenting all policies and procedures. She has increased board participation amongst women, with nearly half of the board now female. More information about Itai's progress can be found here.
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Mercy Macharia, Kenya
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Mercy Macharia of Kiambu Tea Savings and Credit Co-operative located 1 hour from the Kenyan capital of Nairobi has seen her SACCO expand its reach and membership significantly since graduating from the Women's Mentorship Program in 2004. When CCA met with Mercy in March 2008, the SACCo had changed its name to Tai SACCO, a symbol of the more diverse membership and larger district covered by the SACCO which began as a rural tea grower's SACCO. Now with a large head office/banking centre with reliable electricity and several branch offices, Tai SACCO is set to make good on its name which means "sky is he limit" in Swahili. On a personal level, Mercy discussed how her participation in the program was able to improve her self-esteem and change her outlook on life. More information on Mercy's progress can be found here. |
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