2017 VSLA training with Save-Ghana's team
TEERE believes that women are pivotal in family and community development. In sub-Sahara Africa, women have mainly been relegated to family upbringing and are involved in all kind of menial trades and small businesses to cater for their families. Therefore, it has become apparent for the African woman to be empowered to take charge of her own affairs through local actions to mitigate poverty and ensure social and economic development. TEERE therefore instituted the Village Savings and Loans Associations(VSLAs) in the Bongo and Bolgatanga Districts in the Upper East Region to help these women. This has been running for 5 years in all communities helping women in trade, weaving and small businesses to expand. It has also helped to improve the livelihood of the women and their families.
Mr. Moses Batong and Mr. Tia from SAVE-Ghana were the facilitators for the workshop. They took the team through rigorous training both at the office and on-field. The staff were taking through the nine modules involved in the overall management of VSLA groups. On the second day, TEERE staff were given the opportunity by the facilitators to practice their knowledge on the field. Staff were divided into groups of two and each group took turns to practice their newly acquired knowledge with the new group. This was to test the strengths and weaknesses of the staff during the training sessions and correct them.
Overall, the capacity building workshop for staff and VSLA Coordinators was a success. Staff are now well equipped to deal with issues regarding formation to share-out among groups of the VSLAs. Even though TEERE is still in search of funding for this project, it will continue to Mann and sustain this project for the benefit of the communities at all cost.
Finally, TEERE would like to thank SAVE-Ghana for making time to take us through this training. We at TEERE are grateful.
