Everything you need to know about GWASA Family
GWASA Family (Gongo Warom Alumni Students Association) is a Community Based Organization formed in July 2021 by former students of Gongo Warom Secondary School to promote a sense of belonging to the Alma Mater and foster academic, socio-cultural and development networking. It is registered at Gem Sub-County Social Development Offices, Siaya County.
Membership is open to the general public irrespective of age, religion, tribe, area of residence, place of birth, economic status or gender. Categories include Founder, Ordinary (Gongo Warom graduates), Associate (former students who did not graduate), Affiliate (graduates of other schools), Life, and Honorary members.
Registration is currently Ksh. 300 for ordinary members (alumni) or Ksh. 600 for affiliate members, plus Welfare Akiba funds of Ksh. 2,000 on joining (minimum Welfare Akiba is Ksh. 4,000).
A mandatory annual subscription of Ksh. 500 (Life Members are exempt), mandatory monthly shares of at least Ksh. 250 (no upper limit), voluntary monthly savings of any amount, and Ksh. 400 monthly Welfare Akiba until Ksh. 4,000 is reached. These amounts and their payment schedules are set by the relevant department by-laws. The Association runs a financial year from 1st January to 1st January of the following year.
The Benevolence Fund supports registered members together with their spouses, children and parents/guardians. Members contribute a minimum of Ksh. 600 on the loss of a parent or child, and a minimum of Ksh. 1,000 when a member or a member's spouse passes on, over a contribution window of about 4 days. The exact amounts, beneficiaries and timelines are governed by the Welfare and Benevolence Department by-laws.
Yes. Upon registration, members qualify for loans after 3 months of active savings. Qualifying members may borrow up to 3 times their savings with approval from three qualified guarantors, repayable over 3, 6 or 12 months with 2.5% interest on reducing balance. In the event a member fails to pay savings for two months consecutively, they will be unable to get support from guarantors. A loan is treated as defaulted 10 working days after its due date, and guarantors are only pursued after the borrower's own savings and account balances have been exhausted.
Yes. Savings comprise Total, Committed (tied to loans) and Available savings. Available savings are withdrawable on formal application, subject to transaction costs.
Meeting attendance is scored (present 10 points, late 5, excused-with-apology 3, unexcused 0), and an unexcused absence from a general meeting attracts a fine of Ksh. 100. Failing to remit the monthly minimum shares attracts fines as set by the Finance, Strategy and Projects Department by-laws, and unpaid fines may be deducted from your savings or Welfare Akiba. Membership status is reviewed every four months — in April, August and December and dormant membership is terminated.
GWASA Family holds monthly online meetings to review financial statements, share progress and experiences, and address challenges. Every December, members meet physically for our +End-Year Meeting and Party - a special opportunity to celebrate, network, strengthen friendships, and connect personally as one family.
A member who resigns or whose membership is terminated on grounds other than outstanding arrears shall be entitled to a refund of their eligible funds, subject to the following conditions: 1. Savings: Refundable within 28 days from the date the resignation or termination notice is officially received by the Secretary. 2. Welfare AKIBA, Shares, Cluster Project Funds, Interests and Dividends: Refundable after six (6) months from the effective date of resignation or termination, subject to applicable project and financial regulations. 3. Deductions: All refunds shall be subject to the deduction of any outstanding loans, arrears, fines, liabilities or other amounts owed to GWASA Family. 4. Sale of Shares and Project Funds: Where applicable, shares or project funds may be transferred or sold to a willing and eligible member, subject to approval in writing by the exiting member and the active eligible member. All refunds shall be processed in accordance with the GWASA Family Constitution, applicable by-laws and approved cluster project regulations.
Cluster Projects are member-led economic empowerment initiatives that bring together members with shared investment goals. GWASA Family currently has three clusters: Land Acquisition, Livestock Farming, and Utensils & Cutlery, with more planned. Each cluster operates according to its specific objectives, members’ agreements, and agreed procedures to promote collective investment and financial growth.
After 10 consecutive years of uninterrupted membership or 20 years of cumulative membership, you become a Life Member and cease paying annual subscriptions.
