During their weekly meeting held this Saturday, members of an informal credit cooperative commonly known as Ikimina have said the cooperative not only contributed to their domestic financial stability but also kept them unified without confronting one another.
Women and men, grouped under Dushyirehamwe cooperative operating in Bumbogo sector, Gisasa village added that grouping in one association has helped beneficiaries to address some challenges brought by poverty in their respective families.
According to Theogene Mukunzi, a leader of the group, “Dushyirehamwe is a source of fund and a source of peace and unity among its members” Mukunzi acknowledged, adding that in spite of wasting money in offensive behavior people should think further and invest their money in small project that will benefit them later.
Mukunzi said that though the cooperative has not a big financial capital it will use small amount to improve the livelihood of its members.
“Today we count FRW 300 000 of capital and we are planning to share this amount by buying one goat per each member of us. I am sure that we can start with Ikimina and ends up with a big investment group” Mukunzi confidently said.
Murekeyisoni Rose, a widow and a mother of 4, said that since she joined the cooperative her family has got potential of solving some domestic challenges.
“I used to feel I am alone. When I came in January, 2012, I joined this cooperative since then I am happy because I get spare time and interact with other members of the group at the same time discussing things related to money” Murekeyisoni added.
Dushyirehamwe community cooperative is made of 16 members. It includes 9 women and 7 men. The cooperative started last year with the aim of helping one another to gain money to address some of the domestic problems.
Under Article 2 of Law No 40/2008 of 26/08/2008 establishing the organization of microfinance activities in Rwanda, Ikimina “ Tontine” is defined as principle by which a group of people whose members are committed to pay a predetermined sum at a given frequency to a common fund in order for one of them to take it.
The arrangement determines how each member pays, the period to pay and how each member receives the funds in the right time.
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