Plan International committed to Village Savings and Loans Association(VSLA)

The Director of Plan in Tanzania Mr David Muthungu(left) notifying on Plan activities in the country with Nigel Chapman who is Chief Executive Officer at Serena Hotel.

By FRANK KIMARO

The Global Charity Plan International (Plan) has introduced Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) to Rural Communities for supporting them in accessing loans to foster agricultural productivity and small business enterprises.

The Chief Executive Officer of Plan in the world, Mr Nigel Chapman made the remarks at a press conference to inform the public on different activities in to which Plan is involved at Dar es salaam yesterday.

Mr Chapman said that Plan had joined hands with other organizations to introduce VSLA groups across the country and up to the moment different members have joined those groups saying that majority of them are women.

“There are more than 4,000 VSLA groups with more than 80,000 members across the country; Good numbers of them are women. I think we will reduce poverty as we offer cheap loans to rural communities,” he said.

Mr Chapman further noted that his organization has been supporting government to develop policies which are helpful in reducing child oppression and violence.

“Plan has also been supporting the Tanzanian government to develop policies that stem the high incidence of violence against children especially teenage pregnancies and child labour. This has led to decline of Child abuse in the country,”

The Director of Plan in Tanzania, Mr David Muthungu said that VSLA program involves also children just to inculcate a culture of saving money among children and youth.

“The involvement of children in VSLA is helping instill a savings culture among children and as they learn about money management at an early stage in life,” he said.

Plan is the Non Government Organisation which has been working in Tanzania for the past 20 years supporting under privileged children and help poor communities gain access to health,education and sanitation and currently 1.6 million have benefited from it`s program.