Reflections on village savings and self-help group schemes in the era of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Seke District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

In low-income communities across the globe, informal economic initiatives such as self-help groups have often provided a buffer against the vagaries of broader economic and social circumstances. Village savings and loan associations popularly known as the ‘Mukando scheme’ in Zimbabwe, is one such example of a self-help group scheme. The study reflects on the data obtained from three village savings and loan association schemes in ward 8 of Seke District, to assess the extent to which group members of this scheme observed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures when conducting their routine activities. Results showed that akin to every self-help group, the frequency of meetings in ward 8 was disrupted as members of the scheme could not meet to collect their savings. It also emerged that for those members that borrowed from the group funds with the hope to pay back on interest, the lockdowns caused a delay in the paying back of money loaned out by members of the scheme, as everyone was housebound. Participants in ward 8 acknowledged that there was no cure for COVID-19 to date, except life support systems for those experiencing respiratory complications. For that reason, they resolved to adapt to the use of face masks, covering coughs and sneezes, regular hand washing with soap, avoiding contact with infected people, and maintaining social distance. The study concludes that in taking all these precautions, observing social distance and putting on face masks remained supreme.

How to cite this article using ASWNet style

Chivasa, N. (2023). Reflections on village savings and self-help group schemes in the era of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Seke District, Zimbabwe. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(2), 37-43. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i2.3       

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