Join Our Circle

Byumba Saving Circle Meeting – Rwanda

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Last Friday two thirds of the Karisimbi Partners team was able to go on a “field trip” along with some members of Hope International to hear the testimonies of members of some “saving circles” or groups from some remote villages.  The members shared how the saving circles had transformed their lives as they worked together with their neighbors to save money and furnish loans for their members to meet basic needs, send their children to school and start small businesses.  In some cases, the members had purchased an item together (eg- a cow, pig or motorcycle taxi) and shared the profits.  In other cases, the members had taken individual loans to start small businesses (selling used clothes or shoes for example).  The group learns to trust and rely on the other members, as well as reap the benefit of having some savings for future needs.

On our way home, our car discussed what a great idea this was – for people to work together to better their situation.  We discussed what this would look like in the United States – would people come together to pool some money and invest that money in something as a group?  Could people do this with a philanthropic bent – use the proceeds to fund some project in a needier place?  As we mused further, we wondered if people in the States would be willing to partner with people here to increase the amount that a saving circle could generate?

The Crockett and Urquhart families employ eight people all together, with a few of those staff members overlapping.  What if those staff members would be willing to put aside a small amount of money each week (500 Rwandan Francs- 85 U.S. cents), and people in the States would be willing to match that.  At the end of each month, there would be a pool of money, which would be given to one staff member each month.  Some of that money would start a savings account, some of that money would be given to a needy cause that would be agreed on collectively, and the rest could be used for an individual’s needs – whether that is to pay children’s school fees, to do a house project or to start a small business.  The amount of money would be dependent on how many people would agree to enter this circle.

Here is where you are invited in to join hands.  If this sounds of interest to you, we would love to expand the circle and have your agreement to partner with us by adding 85 cents a week to our pool.  You could pay weekly, monthly or just once for the full amount.  Ideally, people would sign up for 16 months (which would be $54.40) so that the circle can go around two times, but we are happy for any amount that people would want to contribute.

If this is something that you want to be a part of, please let us know via email as soon as you can.  We would ask you to tell us what amount you would like to commit and also please send a picture of your family so that we can show our staff who they are joining hands with.

Our commitment to you is that all the money will go to the saving circle.  We have a separate bank account that this money will be deposited into.  Each month as we give the money we will send you a picture and a short bio on the recipient, as well as tell you what they are doing with the money.

        Imaculee,            Apollonaire,         Manasseh,            Jean-Pierre,             Indiho,                  Habimana,                  Afrika,                  Irene

Thank you for considering this and for your care to our families in so many ways.  – Kristen (and Greg and Carter & Kerry Crockett)

Please send or give checks or money to:

Ben Brown                                              Doug Urquhart

6455 Stanley Dr                  or                 5964 Meletio Lane

Auburn, CA 95602                                  Dallas, TX 75230