Mgama – The Word Spreads

This morning we picked Enock up at Tumaini, Itiweni at her stop and headed for Mgama – an hour’s drive south west of Iringa, near Ihemi.  Mgama lies a short drive off of the main road.  It is in the same district as Ihemi (our partner congregation).  The district pastor who lives at Ihemi also covers Mgama.  As a result the pastor here often goes to Ihemi for meetings.

Pastor Edward Mgeyekwa has been at Mgawa for three years.  He has 11 preaching points and 880 adult members in his congregation.  He invited us to come and meet with 30 people who want to start a SACCOS.  “I have been to Ihemi many times and have seen how it is helping the people there.  Since Ihemi got a SACCOS their members have benefited greatly.  We really need to have a SACCOS here to help us,” he told us.

We went to see their CVP crops.  This is the first year for this demonstration plot so they did not have any results yet.  Along the way Tom found some kids – of course this meant he had to go get candy – and of course this meant that more kids showed up in the corn!  It’s amazing how he keeps finding these kids; or is it the kids who are finding him?

When we got back from the CVP we started the meeting.  Even though the pastor had only 30 on his list of interested people, 35 showed up for the meeting!  We each gave our opening greetings and talks, then Enock took over and gave Itiweni the day off from teaching (she was not feeling well today so she was glad to have the day off).  He discussed how to start a SACCOS, the importance of savings, how to organize, etc.  

When Enock’s class was over the class attendees held their own meeting to elect officers.  These elected officials will attend the training session in two weeks where they will receive further instructions in organizing and running a SACCOS, and help in writing their constitution. We ate lunch while they elected a chairman, secretary, and treasurer; two men and a women – the woman is the treasurer!

Since Pastor Mgeyekwa had given us a male perspective on why the community would benefit from a SACCOS, we invited the women to provide a spokesperson to give us a female point of view.   Thirty-year-old Tamasha Mkakatu was asked “Why are you interested in forming a SACCOS in Mgama.”  Her response: “Life is very difficult here in Mgama.  We don’t have enough capital to plant our fields.  Those who would like to have a small shop cannot get any capital to start with.  We would like to keep animals, but we don’t have the money to buy them and can’t get loans.  Most of our people cannot afford to send their children to secondary school.  I know that a SACCOS would change this!”

We left Mgama promising that we would have a constitution for their leaders to look at when they attend our training session. 

We returned to Iringa earlier than many days, but we had things to do before we could call it a day.  After dropping Enock at Tumaini, we accompanied Itiweni to Kihesa where we met with Pastor Kiwanga to make arrangements for the training session.  Last year the 4 day session was held here, with meals and lodging provided for all of the attendees.  At that time the Kihesa center could house everyone, but this year the anticipated number of 60 far exceeds the number of beds at Kihesa.  

The overflow will have to be housed in local guest lodges.

Following our meeting at Kihesa, Tom had errands to do in town and Sandy made a return trip to the Radio Furaha station to record more jingles.  We’re not sure if that’s because the first ones were really good or really bad.

It was good to get back home tonight.  I’m afraid that we are a bit worn out and tomorrow we plan on going to Kivalamo – a three hour drive with some difficult roads.  We await the traffic report.  Here the traffic report is not about rush hour, white-outs, or ice and snow.  The report will be a phone call telling us whether or not torrential rains have made the roads impassable.  Today’s weather report:  a low pressure system in the Indian Ocean is expected to bring in heavy rains from the Congo.  Stay tuned……

Mgama is a short drive off of the main road.

Pastor Mgeyekwa told us, "I have been to Ihemi many times and have seen how it is helping the people there.  Since Ihemi got a SACCOS their members have benefited greatly.  We really need to have a SACCOS here to help us,”

On the way to the CVP field Tom found a child who needed some candy.

This is the first year for this plot.

It’s amazing how Tom keeps finding these kids; or is it the kids who are finding him?

Sandy always hands out pens.  It's amazing - everyone seems to be genuinely pleased to get one!

Itiweni got the day off as Enock gave the seminar.

35 people showed up even though only 30 had signed up!

This little girl was too shy for candy.

Tamasha Mkakatu told us,"Life is very difficult here in Mgama.  We don’t have enough capital to plant our fields.  Those who would like to have a small shop cannot get any capital to start with.  We would like to keep animals, but we don’t have the money to buy them and can’t get loans.  Most of our people cannot afford to send their children to secondary school.  I know that a SACCOS would change this!”