Mafunzo kwa wawezeshaji wa vikundi vidogo vya kijamii vya huduma ndogo za fedha (SIGs) yamefanyika katika viwanja vya taasisi ya YPM Tanzania kuanzia tarehe 23 hadi 24 mwezi Machi 2023 kwa lengo la kuwakumbusha wawezeshaji mbinu mbalimbali za kuendesha vikundi hivyo.
Akiendesha mjadala uliohusiana na kutambua changamoto na mafanikio yaliyofikiwa na SIGs Rev. Walalaze, Mkurugenzi wa Taasisi ya YPM Tanzania, amewasihi wawezeshaji hao kutembelea vikundi mbalimbali na kufuatilia changamoto wanazopitia na kuwasaidia wanavikundi kutatua changamoto hizo, pia amewasihi wawezeshji kufuatilia mienendo ya vikundi vyote wanavyovisimamia.
Mwezeshaji wa mkutano huo ambaye pia ni Meneja wa YPM Tanzania Bw. Peter Jally amesema kuwa, wawezeshaji wanayonafasi kubwa katika kuhakikisha maendeleo ya vikundi na wanavikundi yanakua ya mafanikio, pia amewasihi wawezeshaji kuhakikisha vikundi havivunji mzunguko bali wanaendeleza mzunguko wa uwekaji wa hisa ili kuweza kumnufaisha mwanakikundi kupata asilimia kubwa ya mkopo na gawio pindi kikundi kinapo funga mzunguko wa mwaka.
Aidha Afisa michezo na utetezi wa mazingira Bw. Francis Kamote amewasihi wawezeshaji kujua namna sahihi ya kuikabili migogoro inayokumba vikundi kwa kutumia busara ili kuepusha uwezekano wa uvunjaji vikundi kwani migogoro midogomidogo ndiyo inayopelekea vikundi vingi kuvunjika.
Bw. Yona James mmoja wa wawezeshaji anawasishi watu wajiunge na vikundi hivi kwani vinasaidia sana hasa pale mtu anapohitaji mkopo wa haraka, “uwepo wa vikundi hivi vinasaidia sana hasa pale unapopata shida ambayo inahitaji utatuzi wa fedha wa haraka, unakua na uwezo wa kupata mkopo kutoka katika kikundi ulichopo na kwa riba nafuu”.
Akitoa ushauri kwa wakina mama Pamoja na vijana Bi. Melina Mhema, muwezeshaji na mwanakikundi wa vikundi vya Shume na Ufunuo amesema “nawashauri akina mama na vijana kujiunga na vikundi hivi kwani inasaidia kupata mtaji na kujikwamua kiuchumi, mfano mimi nimeweza kujikwamua kutoka katika umasikini kutokana na kujiunga na vikundi na kwa sasa ni mjasiriamali namiliki biashara ya chakula, na nafuga kuku.
Training for YPM SIGs Facilitators
Training for the facilitators of Saving and Investment Groups (SIGs) was held on the grounds of the YPM from the 23rd to the 24th of March 2023 with the aim of reminding the facilitators on the various methods of running those groups.
Rev. Walalaze, the Director of the YPM Tanzania conducted a discussion related to recognizing the challenges and achievements achieved by the SIGs. He urged the facilitators to visit various groups and monitor the challenges they are experiencing and help the group members solve those challenges. He also urged the facilitators to monitor the movements of all the groups they manage.
The facilitator of the meeting, who is also the Manager of YPM Tanzania Mr. Peter Jally, said that the facilitators have a great opportunity to ensure that the development of groups and group members is successful. He also urged the facilitators to ensure that the groups do not take out dividend by the closing of each year, but instead continue stock placement over several years to be able to get a larger percentage of loans and dividends.
In addition, The Sports and Environmental Protection Officer Mr. Francis Kamote urged the facilitators to know conflict resolution and tactics to avoid groups breaking up because of small conflicts, which has been the source of closure of many groups.
Mr. Yona James, one of the facilitators, said that he urges people to join these groups because they are very helpful especially when someone needs a quick loan. “The presence of these groups is very helpful especially when you have a problem that requires a quick financial solution, you are able to get a loan from in the group you are in and at a low interest rate”.
Giving advice to mothers and young people, Mrs. Melina Mhema, a facilitator and group member of the Shume and Ufunuo groups has said “I advise mothers and young people to join these groups because it helps to get capital and fight poverty. For example I have been able to alleviate my personal financial challenges by joining groups and now I am an entrepreneur and I own a business of food, and I raise chickens too, so it’s better”.