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Women participating in a savings group session
VP RWANDA · WOMEN & ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Women’s
Savings Groups

Small savings. Collective strength. Greater possibilities.

Building a culture of saving, mutual support, confidence and economic participation among women and parents in Mbazi Sector, Huye District.

Discover the journey ↓
THE STORY

When women
save together.

In Mbazi Sector, Huye District, VP Rwanda works with women and parents to promote women’s rights, equality, capacity building and participation in social and economic development.

The savings groups were created as a practical way for parents and women to come together, develop a culture of saving and work collectively toward improving their families and communities.

What began with very small weekly contributions became a growing practice of collective saving. Women who started by saving as little as 100 RWF per week have progressed to saving up to 3,000 RWF per week.

100 RWF → growing toward 3,000 RWF weekly savings
THE IMPACT

Collective action
creates possibility.

5 Savings and loan groups
78 Participants reported
100 RWF Starting weekly savings
3,000 RWF Current weekly savings reported

The initiative combines saving, learning, group participation and practical support to strengthen women’s ability to participate in household and community development.

THE COMMUNITY

Five groups.
One shared purpose.

The earlier project report documented five savings and loan groups involving a total of 78 participants.

01

Twitezimbere Mubyeyi

17 participants

A parent-focused group working together around saving, development and family wellbeing.

02

Turengere Umwana

18 participants

A group bringing parents together to strengthen their ability to support their children and their families.

03

Ejo Heza Mubyeyi

16 participants

A community savings group focused on collective progress and a stronger future.

04

Imbere Heza

13 participants

A group creating space for women and parents to learn, save and support one another.

05

Dukorane Umurava

14 participants

A collective effort built around cooperation, saving and community development.

VOICES FROM THE GROUPS

Their savings.
Their journey.

Women from the savings groups share their experiences, describing the journey from small contributions to stronger collective saving and participation.

Their voices help show that empowerment is not only about financial resources. It is also about confidence, cooperation, knowledge and the ability to work together.

BEYOND SAVING

Learning,
building confidence.

The groups are not only places where women save money. They also provide an opportunity for capacity building, discussion and community learning.

Through group sessions, women and parents can exchange experiences, discuss challenges and develop greater confidence in making decisions affecting their families and communities.

This approach connects economic participation with wider goals of equality, women's rights and community development.

PRACTICAL SUPPORT

Turning small support
into opportunity.

Alongside savings and capacity building, VP Rwanda has provided practical support to selected groups, including small chickens and financial assistance.

01

Savings

Encouraging women to develop a regular culture of saving, beginning with amounts that are accessible to them.

02

Capacity building

Creating opportunities for women and parents to learn, discuss challenges and strengthen their ability to participate in development.

03

Livelihood support

Providing small chickens and other practical assistance to help groups explore additional livelihood opportunities.

04

Financial assistance

Providing limited financial support where possible to strengthen group activities and participation.

LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT

A chicken can be
more than a chicken.

Some groups received small chickens as part of the practical support provided through the initiative.

These moments represent an effort to move beyond saving alone and explore ways that small productive assets can contribute to household and group livelihoods.

Women receiving chickens through the savings groups initiative
WOMEN · FAMILIES · EDUCATION

Stronger families
support stronger futures.

The savings initiative developed alongside community work with parents whose children had dropped out of school.

Discussions with parents highlighted the need to strengthen understanding of the importance of education and the role parents can play in monitoring and supporting their children's education.

Savings groups offered another practical space where parents could come together, build financial discipline and work toward improving their families' ability to meet basic needs.

“

An educated child can achieve a life-saving goal without becoming a burden to the family and society.

THE WEEKLY RHYTHM

Meet. Save.
Learn. Grow.

The groups meet regularly, creating a space where saving and community learning become part of everyday life.

01

Meet

Women and parents come together regularly as a group.

02

Save

Members contribute according to the group's savings practice.

03

Learn

Capacity-building sessions create opportunities to exchange knowledge.

04

Share

Members exchange information and experiences with other community members.

05

Support

Groups receive practical support where resources allow.

06

Grow

Collective saving creates a foundation for stronger participation in economic and social development.

PHOTO STORY

The women.
The meetings. The movement.

Saving sessions, capacity-building activities, community meetings and practical support captured through the project.

OUR VISION

Economic participation
is part of empowerment.

VP Rwanda seeks to strengthen opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in social and economic development. Savings groups provide a practical starting point for building financial habits, confidence, cooperation and community leadership.

Women’s rights Equality Savings Capacity building Financial literacy Livelihoods Women’s leadership Community development
THE NEXT CHAPTER

From saving together
to growing together.

The experience of the savings groups creates a foundation for deeper economic empowerment work with women and families.

The next chapter can include stronger financial literacy, income-generating activities, entrepreneurship, access to appropriate financial services, livestock support and partnerships with institutions that can help groups grow sustainably.

The goal is not simply to increase the amount saved. It is to strengthen women's ability to make decisions, participate in economic life and create better opportunities for their families and communities.

BE PART OF THE NEXT CHAPTER

Invest in women.
Strengthen communities.

With the right partnerships, small savings groups can become stronger platforms for financial inclusion, livelihoods, leadership and community development.

Partner with VP Rwanda →