Participatory planning: women’s saving group

You will now meet Ms Margaret Bayoh, a resident of Dwarzack and member of the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor and the Agape savings group.

She will tell you how the group has improved her and the other savers’ lives, in part due to the things they have been able to use their savings towards, such as school and hospital fees. As previously discussed, savings groups are used as a key tool in the participatory planning approach promoted by Slum Dwellers International through the Federations of the Urban and Rural Poor. Savings groups contribute in very material ways, building the community’s resources to invest in housing and community infrastructure, but they also help to develop relationships of trust amongst residents, strengthening communities.