Fridah Nyaboga, Manager, Njiwa SACCO, Kenya

"I hope to improve my performance skills. I hope to become a better manager and to apply the skills I have learned here—to be able to advise my board members so that they can make informed decisions."

Margaret Nyakang'o, SACCO Consultant, Kenya

"The SWAMI Program has a great future. It has given us a forum to meet other cooperatives from all over the world. We have been able to mix with cooperatives from...various other countries so that we can compare practices. This has been a beautiful learning experience for all of us."

Ndibo Patricia Buzwani, Manager, Mostwedi SACCO, Botswana

"SWAMI has helped me to learn more about marketing a SACCO, which in our country there wasn't any marketing done for a SACCO. ...Ever since I have been introduced to SWAMI, they taught us that we have to market our SACCO, and we have managed to increase our membership from 16 - 25% as of November 2006."

Joshua Ojall, CEO, Mwalimu SACCO, Kenya

"Now that there is a lot of competition with the commercial banks, we are going for the same members. Some members now feel that the interest rates that the banks have been charging are more or less the same as what we are charging. ...Now we are going to look at our marketing strategies. I believe that we are going to be able to recruit more members and effectively compete with the bank."

Duncan Njeri, Majanees SACCO

It is my own observation that SWAMI came at the right time when SACCO's were being liberalized. Since I joined SWAMI my SACCO has achieved a lot through good governance, lending, marketing and now we have a five year strategic plan.

Margaret Ngunjiri, Finance and Administration manager, Jamii SACCO

SWAMI program has made an impact in the operations and management of many SACCOs in Kenya. I joined the program in June 2005 and I graduated in June 2006. I am delighted to inform you that my SACCO has implemented most of what I learned based on the SWAMI curriculum. In particular our SACCO has improved in liquidity management. Policies have been developed to cover all operational areas and this assisted the board and management to realize its potential. The introduction of new products has attracted and retained members in the SACCO.

Samual Ngunga: Kenya Bankers board member, SWAMI graduate

Participating in SWAMI is like getting an MBA in a week. It has helped not only in his role as a board member but in his day job as well. WOCCU is making a difference everyday with SWAMI. And like WOCCU you can make a difference in your SACCO.