Isakalilo

The past two days we have been working in the office.  We have been filling out forms, having meetings on a building project, meeting with lawyers and SACCOS members who came to town for some help.  Today we were invited to visit a new location – Isakalilo.

Isakalilo is located just outside of town past Mlandege.  The group here has formed on its own.  There are two Greek Orthodox priests who are helping them.  They are a mixture of Lutherans, Greek Orthodox, Catholics, and Muslims.  We are often contacted by groups like this who are forming and want us to come and help.  Unfortunately we already have more requests from our partner parishes than we can handle so we normally say “Sorry.”  It seems that the word has spread very widely here and people want us to at least teach them how to run a good SACCOS – but we have to be careful to avoid “mission creep” or we will not be able to help anyone!

So why did we go to Isakalilo?  Well, this group has been very persistent.  They have been calling and calling and asking us to at least stop and see them.  Itiweni feels that their persistence has earned them a visit.

Our meeting today was held in a secondary school.  The drive there is short, but with the past two days of rain the roads threatened to bog our car in the muck.  But taking a run at things and driving over small trees and minor crops, we made it.

A Greek Orthodox priest greeted us at our car and told us how very happy he was to see us.  We went into the room expecting to see a dozen or so people.  Waiting for us were over 60 people including two Greek Orthodox priests, several teachers, and a large number of people who couldn’t get in.  They have already gotten a registration number so technically they do not need any help to get going.  However, many of the members have been listening to us on Radio Furaha wanted to meet with us.

We started by introducing ourselves.  Once again Tom gave the greeting “Kwaheri” – meaning good bye instead of “Kamwene” meaning hello.  Everyone got a good laugh from that.  He then went on to describe Iringa Hope and how we operate.  He told them some of our basic rules - No borrowing to spend.  No pastors – or priest – can hold office (this got a good laugh from everyone including the priests).  When Sandy got up she commented on the good turn-out of women and emphasized the importance of women in SACCOS. 

Peter gave the class today.  His talk detailed the outline Tom had introduced, in Swahili of course. Everyone was very interested in Peter’s talk and asked lots of very good questions (What are the interest rates?  How long are loans?  What are we allowed to decide and what things aren’t allowed?).  Finally people started asking if we had a manual they could study (we have been asked this many times but it would probably cost about $12-14,000 to write one and we would rather put our money into our members).  Can we come and hold regular classes?  Would we consider making inspections?  Can they join Iringa Hope?

Although they are eager to join Iringa Hope, we told them that Iringa Hope SACCOS had to be built from the ground up in the way we wanted (they offered to disband and redo everything the way we wanted.).  We also told them that we only worked in parishes of the Diocese of Iringa.

Since some of their members are also members of a preaching point of Mlandege Parish, we told them we would have to consult with the Pastor at Mlandege to see about a possible sponsorship.  Mlandege hasn’t formed a SACCOS of its own, so perhaps this would be a good fit.  We would really like to work with them, but we are very sensitive to the limits of our resources.

As we were leaving they asked if they could please send their leaders to our upcoming training session.  Peter whispered to us that he believed there would be enough room so we said they could send three people.  They live near town so they won’t require lodging, so we agreed to admit them to the session.

We were impressed by and concerned for this SACCOS.  We would really like to help them but without a sponsor we don’t think that we should.  We told them we would try to find someone to “adopt” them, but couldn't make any promises. 

A Greek Orthodox Priest welcomed us.

This group is already registered.

There were over 60 people waiting to talk with us.

Peter gave a good discussion.  We invited them to send three leaders to our training session.