THE VICOBA PROJECTS

Vicoba Groups in Monduli Tanzania Africa.  Each group has a kit that contains:  recording books (1 per each member) 3 locks and keys held by 3 different widows from the group, a stamp to mark when contribution was given, a loan book for group, one calculator, pens/pencils and finally the three containers that hold their money.  One container typically has money for hospital/medical treatments, the second container holds money for children's educational needs and the third is for their group project. If money needs to be borrowed for a hospital or medical stay/treatment the person removing the money must have two co-signors so that the money is paid back.  There is an interest payment included in the amount being paid back.  If the widow does not pay that loan back - they are not allowed to participate in the Vicoba group any longer.  

These groups meet weekly or semi weekly.  Each group has a chairman, secretary, treasurer and a discipline action leader.

Vicoba Group Names and Focus

Group 1: 
RashaRasha 30 Widows  Focus: Cows Cost: $150 per cow - each widow is aiming to have one cow for milk to sell in market and to help one another.

Group 2:
Bennett  16 Widows Focus: Sewing/Yarn machine 
Cost: $350 per unit  They would like 5-10 machines to sew for sale in the market and also begin an online market

Group 3:
Lendinknya  60 Widows  Focus: Bible/Songbooks  Cost:  $15 per book 

Group 4:
Enaboishu 30 Widows  Focus: Cows and Sheep $150/cow  $50/Sheep - Each widow to have one for milk and sale in market

Group 5:
Napoko  25 Widows  Focus:  Local Goats  Cost: $40
Each widow to own one and they will breed and sell in market

Group 6:
Neema Ajabu 40 Widows  Focus:  Goat, Chickens and Health insurance (elderly) Cost: $50 / $10 / $20  They will breed, sell milk and eggs and help the elderly obtain health insurance for the medical needs

Group 7:
Nengugu 40 Widows  Focus:  Local Sheep Cost: $50 Each widow to receive one to breed and sell in market

Group 8:
Upendo  20 Widows  Focus: Chicken , Goats, Milling machine and transportation vehicle  Cost: $10 / $50 / $350 / $1500 They will sell milk and eggs, mill their own maize and rent out milling machine and transportation will get their maize to market and they will rent out vehicle to others.

Group 9:
​Enyorata  20 Widows Focus: Chicken, Fruit trees and Beads  Cost:  $10 / $20 / $25  All to be used for selling in the market

Group 10:
Olalashin  60 Widows (2 groups) Focus:  Local goat and sheet  Cost:  $50 per both  They would like to have one for milk and then breed and sell in the market

Group 11 and 12:
Lashaine (Group A) 20 Widows Focus: Local goat and cow  Cost:  $50/$150  Each widow would like for milk and to sell in market
Lashaine (Group B) 26 Widows second group  Focus:  Milling Machine Cost: $500  Machine will mill corn to flour which they can sell in the market and to families.  This machine can be rented out by others in the community as well.