In March 2009, SaveAct promoted Savings and Credit Groups (SCGs) from several villages in the Eastern Cape, and the various partners of LEAP, converged on Mafube (outside Matatiele) to celebrate their involvement in this Thina Sinako (European Union) and Vesper Society funded project. There were scenes of great joy. The excitement was overwhelming, the atmosphere exuberant. SCGs staged special dances in appreciation for what the project has done to enable livelihood security and personal development. Others delivered powerful testimonies, punctuated with: “Phambili [forward] SaveAct, Phambili!”; “Phambili LEAP, Phambili!”; that had the crowd of some 500 people on their feet. It was a great day, and partners went home encouraged to commit themselves to an even greater LEAP.

To date close to 900 people have been organised into Savings and Credit Groups. Further inputs associated with enterprise training, agricultural and life skills training are to follow.

Click here to see pictures of the launch