SAVINGS GROUPS

Community managed savings groups are indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa and to Uganda. When MAPLE started in Uganda, it became clear through community dialogues that people wanted us to help them strengthen their own approaches to community banking. They asked us for education, not money, so they could generate more income, grow their self-managed funds, start new businesses, reach larger markets, and keep their children in school. Over time, as groups became stronger, many invited MAPLE to help them design linkages, through a membership-based model, to create additional funding for larger income generating projects.