SACCOs Visit Salima Resources Centre
In fulfilling Two of the Seven Cooperative Principles Namely Concern for the Community and Cooperation among Co-operators, Malawian SACCOs lead by MUSCCO their apex body undertook some charitable works at Salima Resources Center. Speaking during the event opening meeting Ezekiel Thindwa – MUSCCO Central Finance Manager said “When challenges arise, it’s the collective resolve of members that builds resilience” in reference to the pooled resources to fund a local resources center, SACCOs weren’t just improving access to education - they have demonstrated the transformative potential of shared effort.
Salima Resources centre for the blind under Salima district Local Education Authority (LEA) primary started 1967 by well wishers, the goal by then was to teach children with visual impairment in the district. Currently, the centre caters for other surrounding districts and boasting of having more than 31 learners from different districts in Malawi. Children at the centre receive free access to education, food and shelter as they come from needy families.
SACCOs upon realizing that this noble cause cannot be left in the hands of government alone decided to mobilize some resources which they used to paint rooms and the perimeter fence of the centre in order to brighten up spaces, create a more welcoming atmosphere, and contribute to a sense of school pride. SACCOs that participated include UCS, Malawi Police, Msilikali, UN, Limbe Leaf, Mudi, Fincoop and Mphuzitsi.
United Civil Servant SACCO based in Chapter 3 has been named the Centre mother by both the Centre learners and School administrators for their helping hand at the Centre. They continue to express their gratitude towards UCS SACCO for helping the centre build the fence, provides budgetary support as well as food which has improved the food situation at the school. UCS SACCO through its partners from USA, CANADA have also donated technology equipment such as computers and braille gadgets which aids operations of the centre.
Francis Waliwa - UCS SACCO Chief Executive officer speaking on behalf of the SACCO during the event pledged paying for school fees for children that perform well for their both secondary as well as tertiary education. He further said the SACCO is doing this because it believes - “The visually impaired children need support and require special support, being our children“ “SACCOs believe that what has been done is inspiring and will leave an impact to the society” and that “SACCOs are responsible for the communities they are serving” In conclusion he encouraged the children to work hard as a token of appreciation
The guest of honor was JO HA from Canada; who was overjoyed seeing the works they had started by bringing a team of 30 co-operators in the year 2022 across the globe bearing fruits. The team thereafter proceeded to climb Kilimanjaro Mountain through the Africa fund raise project which supported ACCOSCA Academy initiative buy its office building. She concluded by leaving the members present with the famous SACCO phrase “Let’s share the little we have so that others can live for tomorrow “
