Urwego promoting children’s savings through football

Mid-day in rural Musanze usually finds parents in their fields tending to their crops while children in school attending lessons.

However, this day was different as hundreds gathered for a special community event organized by Urwego Opportunity Bank through its partnership with the Department of International Development’s (DFID) Innovation for Education program.

11 primary schools from the Muhoza Sector in Musanze were battling it out at the inter-school football tournament with the Urwego Marketing and Transformation staff arriving to a crowded sports field as students cheered, danced, and sang for their players.

After the football match, students and players gathered so representatives from Urwego presented a program related to the savings empowerment for children.

The Urwego bank’s leaders based both in Kigali and upcountry entertained, informed, educated inspired and motivated Rwandans of all ages to understand the benefits that children’s savings can have on their lives.

The schools’ leaders also briefed the students on the importance of saving and how it relates to their education.

Urwego is currently partnering with over 40 savings clubs that have been developed by the Association for Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR) and the impact so far was clear in Musanze alone.

To illustrate the high-level impact to the audience in attendance, a student shared his testimony as part of the event’s programming.

He shared his story of redemption; his mother left him as an orphan when he was only 5 years old. However, undaunted, he worked to sell sweets and various items around town. He is now able to share that he has saved over Rwf 1 million in his account.

His story undoubtedly impacted and inspired many of the young students.

When the community gathering came to a close – after presentations, fliers, and information was presented – the winning football team was presented with an award.

They were provided with a special Urwego trophy and celebrations ensued.

Innovation for Education was recognized as essential and transformative for the savings clubs that exist and the potential opportunity for children to now open accounts with Urwego is high.

Parents then clamoured for a photograph with the trophy; the community had truly been empowered – both in football, savings, information, and possibilities. The Musanze Community Gathering is just one of many Community Gatherings to come that will simultaneously promote the mission of savings products with UOB and also instil the value in the financial literacy projects that are completed, in progress, and thriving.

Taking action and kickin’ into action savings is a great place to start. Innovation is at work in Musanze!