Testimony from Livelihood Project that is currently implementing by NUDOR

National  Union of  Disability  Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR) started the new approach in promoting the economic situation of persons with disabilities in Gasabo district through village savings and loan groups’ formation.  Through conducted survey, NUDOR noticed that some created cooperatives have been supported but now are no longer operating due to lack of ownership in the management of their shares and supports.

NUDOR decided to implement Livelihood project where persons with disabilities are mobilized to form Village Savings and Loan Groups (VSLGs). This project will help Persons with Disabilities to have weekly regular savings and after four weeks they used to borrow money from their savings for small business.

Some members of established VSLGs in the daily meeting

This project will improve their entrepreneurship skills which may lead them to access the bank services such as opening account, loan, etc.

So far 46 Village Savings and Loan Groups are formed in Six Sectors of Gasabo District with 1246 Persons with different types of Disabilities. Some Persons with disabilities started benefited to services provided by microfinance institutions which different when before the project started.

Mr. NIYITEGEKA Salathier, One member of established VSLGs providing Testimony to Liverhood Project manager Salathiel NIYITEGEKA; he has physical disability with crushes; member of DUKORE TUBEHO NEZA village saving and loan group in Muremure cell, Nduba sector. After joining the group he has got loan of 9500 Frw from his four week savings; he used that money to sell potatoes.  After paying back, he also borrowed 28000 Frw for another loan where he was selling potatoes and biscuits, soap.  He decided to join SACCO where he opened an account and now he has got loan of 150,000 Frw from SACCO.  Now he is business man supporting his family and contributing to the development of his cell.