Restless Development - Zimbabwe
Support for VSLAs
Restless Development
Restless Development works with young people so that they can lead in solving those challenges. Whether that means supporting communities to end child marriage or prevent HIV, Restless Development works with young people to change their lives and the lives of people in their communities.
It runs out of hubs in ten countries across Africa, Asia and in the UK and USA, with a wider network of partners across the world. Restless Development have been working with young people since 1985 and our work is led by thousands of young volunteers and advocates every year.
The ISAL methodologies promoted by Restless Development enable young people to form strong and cohesive groups, mobilize their own savings which are used as capital for their income generating activities, consumption and other basic needs. ISALs also helps young people to understand why they should be their own savers, own bankers and own lenders.
Young women can use ISALS as a means of accessing capital as:
- They own the capital
- They are their own savers
- They are their own bankers and lenders which means they determine interest to be charged.
- They can also tailor make the ISAL project include saving for purchases of general household goods which women normally require
Training provided by the organization
The ISAL methodology helps them maintain easy book keeping systems for transparency and improve or increase income generation. It encourages individual members to self-select themselves and form a group with a minimum of 5 members. Once the groups are formed they start saving amounts they can afford and at times they agree on. Any money saved by a group member should be borrowed by members of that group only. Savings continue and members continue borrowing from the savings and interest is earned.
The methodology is designed to suit the needs for both literate and illiterate members of the community. The training takes 3-5 days to properly educate in the ISAL methodology.
Enrollment criteria
- Anyone between 15-30 years from the 3 areas Hopley, Ushewokunze and Southlea Park which are under Harare South can enroll provided they are willing and can form a group with a minimum of five members.
- Once a group is formed they can inform Restless Development or the volunteers based in the community and training will be organized
Contact information
1 Adylinn Road
Marlborough Harare
Lesley Garura
Head of Operations
0773 404 849
Email: info@restlessdevelopment.org
Facebook: Restless Development Zimbabwe
Twitter: @RestlessDevZim