African Great Lakes
Small Savings, Big Dreams: Abishyizehamwe group VSLA Celebrates a Successful Share-Out
By Transformational Leadership Center Team
VSLA group during share -out activities
Location: Mutete Sector, Gicumbi District, Rwanda
VSLA Group: Abishyizehamwe for 25 members
Date: August 31, 2026
Turning Small Savings into Opportunities
The Transformational Leadership Center (TLC Rwanda) continues to work alongside rural communities to strengthen livelihoods, promote food security, and build a culture of saving and self-reliance through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs).
Through the Food Security Project, TLC provides regular training and mentorship to community savings groups in areas such as saving, accessing and repaying loans, financial management, conflict resolution, and strengthening relationships among group members.
The goal goes beyond helping community members save money. VSLAs create opportunities for families to invest in agriculture, small businesses, education, healthcare, housing, and other development activities.
Across the communities where TLC works, more and more members use their savings and loans to pay health insurance contributions, support children’s education, invest in farming and small businesses, improve their homes, and respond to important family needs. Most importantly, members are gaining confidence and discovering that even small amounts of savings can help them take greater control of their futures.
Abishyizehamwe VSLA Group Celebrates a Successful Share-Out
On August 31, 2026, TLC Assistant Field Staff supported the Abishyizehamwe VSLA in Mutete Sector during its share-out activity. The group successfully shared a total of
3,830,000 FRW among its members.
Each member received their share according to their individual savings and participation in the group. The money will provide members with an opportunity to pursue personal and family development goals.
In addition to the members’ savings, the group had accumulated a social fund of 27,500 FRW. This fund helps members respond to social needs and strengthens fellowship, solidarity, and mutual support within the community.
Following the successful share-out, the members immediately began a new savings cycle, demonstrating their continued commitment to saving together and working toward sustainable development.
From Saving to Investing in the Future
The experience of Abishyizehamwe shows how VSLA participation can help community members move beyond meeting immediate needs and begin planning for the future.
Members are using savings and loans to:
Invest in agriculture and purchase farming inputs
Start or strengthen small businesses
Improve and rebuild their homes
Pay school fees and support their children’s education
Contribute to health insurance
Meet important family needs
Build confidence and financial independence
These achievements demonstrate that small savings, combined with discipline, unity, and a shared vision, can create meaningful and lasting change.
Barankunjamiye Agripinne
Stories of Change
Agripinne: Saving to Rebuild Her Family Home
Barankunjamiye Agripinne, a member of Abishyizehamwe VSLA, shared how joining the group has helped her work toward an important family goal. When Agripinne joined the group, one of her main goals was to use her savings to rebuild her family’s house. Today, she is close to completing the work.
Through the opportunities provided by the VSLA, she has also been able to support her husband in developing their tailoring business.
Her experience demonstrates how saving can become a powerful tool for improving household living conditions while also strengthening family livelihoods. “When we save together, we are able to plan for the future and turn our family goals into reality.”
Agripinne’s story is a reminder that progress can begin with a simple commitment to save.
Angelique: A Young Woman Investing in Her Farming Dream
Uwikuzo Angelique, a young member of Abishyizehamwe VSLA, expressed her appreciation for being part of the group and explained how saving and accessing loans have helped her pursue her dream of developing a farming business.
She shared, “I am proud to be a member of Abishyizehamwe Saving Group, created by the Transformational Leadership Center. As a young person, I have learned that saving and accessing loans are very important in helping me achieve my dream of developing my farming business. Today, I am using my share-out money to buy agricultural inputs for this farming season.”
Angelique has been a member of the group for two years. During this time, she says her development has increased compared with before joining the group. She is now able to save 6,000 FRW every month.
She encourages other young people, especially young women and girls, to embrace a culture of saving, “I encourage young people, especially young women and girls, to embrace the culture of saving because it builds self-reliance, confidence, and the ability to contribute to the development of our communities.”
Angelique’s testimony demonstrates how young people can become agents of their own development when they have access to opportunities, knowledge, financial tools, and a supportive community environment.
A New Savings Cycle, A New Beginning
The successful share-out of 3,830,000 FRW is more than a financial achievement. It represents discipline, trust, teamwork, hope, and progress.
As Abishyizehamwe VSLA begins another savings cycle, its members are once again setting new goals, making new plans, and creating new opportunities for their families.
Their journey reminds us that development does not always begin with large amounts of money. Sometimes, it begins with one small saving, one shared idea, and a group of people committed to supporting one another.
Through VSLAs, community members are learning to transform:
Small Savings → Opportunities → Investments → Stronger Families → Resilient Communities
TLC Rwanda: Walking Alongside Communities
TLC Rwanda remains committed to walking alongside rural communities as they strengthen their livelihoods, improve food security, build resilience, and create pathways toward a more self-reliant and prosperous future.
Together, we are turning savings into hope, hope into action, and action into lasting change.
Transformational Leadership Center (TLC Rwanda)
Strengthening communities. Building self-reliance. Transforming lives.
Counting&Overseeing Money during Share-Out
