Staff Savings & Credit Scheme: Is it the way to reduce financial

stress on devoted service providers?

TASO Uganda Experience

E. Wandera

The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) Uganda

MOPDE304

Background• HIV/AIDS service providers earn low

incomes• Heavy schedules hinder generation of

additional income• Banks loans provide credit to fill the gap at

high interest rates up to 30% and rigid repayment terms

• Resultant financial stress impacts morale and quality of care

Description• TASO mobilized service provider teams

nationwide to form Staff Savings & Credit Schemes (SSCS)

• Over 80% of 1,000 service providers are SSCS members

• SSCS savings grew from US$ 126,000 in 2006 to US$ 308,600 in 2009

• Credit to members grew from US$ 101,200 in 2006 to US$ 294,500 in 2009

Lessons Learnt• SSCS reduces financial stress and

desperation among service providers• SSCS improves retention and motivation of

service providers• Owner-controlled approach empowers

service providers to determine their welfare• SSCS provides an opportunity for

employees to save, borrow and earn a dividend easily.

Next Steps• Transforming SSCS into an employee-

owned Micro-Finance Institution• Promoting SSCS as a model for motivation

and retention of service providers in a resource constrained setting