03/06/2026
Best Family Rwanda is very pleased with the parents participating in the ITARA Program – GAHENGERI for their excellent Saving Group (Ikimina) initiative, which they use to improve their livelihoods, support one another, and provide mutual assistance during times of need.
This is a great example of how Best Family Rwanda beneficiaries are taking the initiative to find solutions to their own problems and build a better future together.
“Empowering families today for a better tomorrow”.
EVERYDAY CONFIDENT HOPE.
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IBIMINA (Saving Groups) are voluntary groups of people who come together to save money, lend to one another, and improve their social and economic well-being. They are typically built on trust, cooperation, and good governance.
Basic Overview
In saving groups, members contribute a fixed amount of money weekly or monthly. These pooled funds are used to:
• Provide loans to members.
• Support members during emergencies or difficult situations.
• Generate interest income from loans.
• Share savings and accumulated profits after a certain period (often after one year).
How a Saving Group Works
1. Formation of the Group
• A group of people comes together.
• Members establish rules and regulations.
• A management committee is elected to oversee the group.
1. Saving
• Each member contributes an agreed amount regularly.
• Funds are securely kept in a bank account or a lockbox with multiple keys.
1. Share-Out
• At the end of the agreed cycle, all savings and accumulated profits are distributed among members according to their individual savings contributions.
Benefits of Saving Groups
✅ Promote a culture of saving.
✅ Provide access to capital for starting or expanding income-generating activities.
✅ Help reduce poverty and improve livelihoods.
✅ Strengthen unity and cooperation within families and communities.
✅ Support members during difficult times such as illness, emergencies, or social events.
How to Build a Strong Saving Group
• Establish clear and enforceable rules.
• Maintain accurate financial records.
• Train members in financial management.
• Elect trustworthy and accountable leaders.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the group’s performance.
IBIMINA (Saving groups) have played a significant role in improving the livelihoods of many households, particularly women, youth, and low-income communities. They help members become more financially independent through regular savings and access to affordable loans.
