RWAMAGANA- Olive Uwimana, 32, a resident of Ruramira Sector in Kayonza District, was unable to make any savings until recently.

Uwimana shared her recent experience and excitement, thanks to the opening of the Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in rural areas which have cultivated a savings culture among them.

"I couldn’t keep money for long in the house, endless domestic demands never allowed me to budget properly,” the mother of four says.

"I am overwhelmed by the fact that I can also save money and withdraw in a bank. This is a great experience, which will no doubt change my economic status,” Uwimana adds.

Other women feel the same way too.

Jacqueline Uwamariya, said the SACCOs have empowered women economically and helped them to manage their incomes.

She noted that women have mobilised in cooperatives with an aim of saving and investing in various development projects.

"The SACCOs are doing a commendable job. Long are the days when rural women used men as custodians of their hard-earned money.

It was a sad reality that men spent the money in egoistic ways, and beat women who dared to question them,” Uwamariya said.

Eric Nyirigira, the manager of Nyamirama SACCO, notes that women form a very big percentage of their 4,000 clients who will access loans soon.

"It’s most important contribution has perhaps been to encourage the women to embrace banking, lending and saving activities.

It is an interesting development that rural women understand the importance of saving in banks,” he said.

Ends