Village Savings and Loan Associations Schemes: Contributions to Peace

Abstract

This study is an appreciation of the contributions of the Village Savings and Loan Associations scheme to peace between its members and the community. It seeks to demonstrate, by means of specific examples of existing groups of the village savings and associations (Mukando) scheme in ward 8 of the Seke district, Mashonaland East province, Zimbabwe, that although the scheme helps to fight poverty and financial vulnerability among the poor people, it promotes peace as well. The study revealed that the key elements, namely social capital, friendships, social relationships, coexistence and tolerance, on which the scheme is anchored, are major factors that contribute to peace. It also emerged that the creation of the scheme increases the capacities of its members to access supportive networks, befriend each other and coexist in a tolerant way, thus, helping to foster factors that promote peace between members within the community. Therefore, reproducing the Mukando scheme could imply building more stable households and communities.