PRESS RELEASE: Umwalimu SACCO Enhances Member Engagement with Sector-Level Outreach Program

By The Inspirer.

May 11, 2024 – Kigali, Rwanda: Umwalimu SACCO, the Savings and Credit Cooperative for Rwandan Teachers, continues its proactive approach to engaging with its members by conducting physical meetings at the sector level to educate and sensitize them about its products and services.

This year, Umwalimu SACCO’s outreach program spans across all 30 districts of Rwanda, with sessions held at two sites in each district during weekend days.

These face-to-face interactions provide an invaluable platform for members to learn about the cooperative’s offerings, discuss challenges they encounter, and offer suggestions for improvement.

In the past, Umwalimu SACCO primarily engaged with its members at their respective schools. However, recognizing the limitations of meeting during school break hours, the cooperative has shifted its focus to sector-level meetings to accommodate larger gatherings and provide ample time for comprehensive discussions.

Ms. Laurence UWAMBAJE, the Director General of Umwalimu SACCO, emphasized the importance of the outreach program in bridging the gap in members’ understanding of the cooperative’s services.

“Our goal is to enhance members’ financial literacy and raise awareness about our products, especially the new ones,” she stated.

The outreach campaign, planned from March to December 2024, aims to reach 60,000 members across 120 sites in 30 districts. Divided into two phases, the campaign covers 253 sectors nationwide, with the first phase spanning from March to June and the second from July to December.

During these meetings, Umwalimu SACCO focuses on several key areas, including responding to inquiries, gathering feedback, promoting the culture of savings, and informing members about new products and digital services, such as the GIRA IWAWE mortgage loan and E-Tax Payment system.

Since initiating sector-level meetings in November 2023, Umwalimu SACCO has engaged with approximately 9,000 members across 33 sectors in ten districts. By the end of 2024, the cooperative aims to connect with around 69,000 members from 286 sectors across the country.

Umwalimu SACCO encourages its members to actively participate in these sessions, providing valuable feedback to enhance service delivery and ensure member satisfaction.

Established in 2006 and licensed by the National Bank of Rwanda in 2008, Umwalimu SACCO serves as a financial cooperative for Rwandan teachers. With 134,848 active members as of March 2024, Umwalimu SACCO aims to improve the welfare of its members by providing accessible and innovative financial services.

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