The Diocese of Iringa (DIRA)

We stayed in town today.  We started the morning with a meeting at the regional government offices and then went over to DIRA.  DIRA is located a short walk from our apartment.  It is a pleasant set of buildings with a preschool, the radio station we broadcast from, and a number of offices.  We always see many people we know when we go there and today was no exception.

We arrived at DIRA shortly before the meeting began.  We met Msigwa (the coordinator of the St Paul Area’s program here) as soon as we came in.  He greeted us and then we walked towards the meeting room.  After just a few steps we met Chevala, the general secretary, so we had to chat a bit with him.  As you might guess it took a long time to go a short ways. 

Msigwa was the acting chairman today so he conducted the meeting.  They had already prepared a summary of the information we wanted so we didn’t have to ask many questions.  This SACCOS has 46 active members and has collected over 16,000,000 TZS – a very good job of savings!

We made some opening statements and then Itiweni gave a brief class.  There were a number of good questions and the meeting was over.

Afterwards Sandy talked with two members.  Noel Kaguo is 29, unmarried, and works at the radio station.  He does morning talk shows, is a journalist for the Furaha newspaper, and produces some programs.  He took out a $200 loan to start a barber shop.  He employs one person full time in his shop.  He tells us that after repaying his loan, paying the barber, and buying supplies he expects to make $400 this year.  After he repays his current loan he plans on taking out another loan to grow his existing herd of goats.  Looking down the road, he hopes that eventually he will be able to enlarge and improve his barber shop.

Upendo Enock is 29, married, and has a 4 year old child.  She borrowed $320 to buy supplies to make soap.  She sells her soaps through various shops in town and to Bomalang’ombe Secondary School. She expects to make $650 profit from her loan and wants to reinvest in her business. 

While Sandy was talking with these members Tom went and visited with Msigwa in his office.  Msigwa was interested in the Iringa Hope annual report.  According to our members, profits from their loans sent more children to secondary school last year than all of the scholarships combined!  There were also houses built, diets improving, and a variety of other benefits.   One thing of note is the estimated donations that members made to the church.  Our members indicated that they donated over 50,000,000 TZS form their profits to DIRA last year alone!

As we walked toward our car we met Benito Mdembo.  Benito is an old friend of ours so we spent some time catching up.  He was happy to tell us that he is a regular listener to the Microfinance show on Radio Furaha. 

After the meeting we left for a meeting with a USAID representative who is stationed here in Iringa.  Then it was off to CRDB bank to discuss the possibility of future joint ventures.  Tonight we meet with members of King of Kings Church who are visiting this week.

Sandy and Msigwa (far right) listen to a question from the members.

Itiweni gave a short class.  We knew everyone there so we really did not need to introduce ourselves.

Noel Kaguo is 29, unmarried, and works at the radio station.  He does morning talk shows, is a journalist for the Furaha newspaper, and produces some programs. 

Upendo Enock is 29, married, and has a 4 year old child.  She borrowed $320 to buy supplies to make soap.

Walking towards the car we met Benito.

We have known him for many years.  He has been a guest at our home in Lakeville, MN.