Frequently Asked Questions

• Based on the GWASA constitution and the provided updates, the GWASA Family is the Gongo Warom Alumni Students Association, a community-based organization dedicated to promoting leadership, strengthening connections, and fostering a sense of belonging among its members, alumni, and students. With its Head Office located Gongo Warom Mixed Secondary School and a subsidiary office at the Chief’s Office, Central Gem Location at Nyawara Centre, Gem Subcounty, Siaya County, Kenya, the association is guided by core values of integrity, respect, accountability, stewardship, responsiveness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• The organization is committed to enhancing the educational, social, spiritual, and economic well-being of all members and their families. To support this mission, the GWASA Family offers its members soft loans of up to three times their savings at affordable interest rates. The association also manages a benevolence fund to support members who are hospitalized or bereaved. Membership is open to a variety of individuals, including ordinary members (graduates of Gongo Warom Secondary School), associate members (former students), affiliate members, founder members, life members, and honorary members. The association is overseen by a board of trustees and an alumni executive committee.

• Based on the GWASA by-laws, a member can qualify for a loan after contributing for three consecutive months.
• For members whose accounts have been declared inactive for missing three consecutive months of monthly savings/shares, they can become active and qualify for a loan after saving for two consecutive months.

• According to the GWASA by-laws, if a member defaults on a loan, the savings of the member and the three guarantors (if the loan was obtained with guarantors) shall be used to offset the loan. This is done to protect the association from potential bankruptcy.
• Additionally, defaulted loans will attract a monthly fine as per the Finance, Strategy and Projects By-Laws.

• To obtain a loan with guarantors, the GWASA by-laws state that for you to obtain a higher loan amount, up to three times your savings, you must seek approval from at least three qualified guarantors^.

• A qualified guarantor is any member whose savings can cover the intended loan balance in case of a default. A guarantor can guarantee a maximum of three loan applications at a time. In the event of a loan default, the savings of both the loanee and the three guarantors will be used to offset the loan.

According to the GWASA by-laws, the duration for repaying a loan depends on the type of loan you take out:

• • 3-Month Loan: This loan is repaid in monthly or cumulative instalments over a period of three months.
  • 6-Month Loan: This loan is repaid in monthly instalments over a period of six months.
  • 9-Month Loan: This loan is repaid in monthly instalments over a period of nine months^.

All loans in the 6- and 9-month categories must be paid on a monthly instalment basis.

If you choose to resign from the GWASA Family, you will be entitled to a refund of your savings and shares, but with a few conditions and a specific process to follow.

Resignation Process
To resign, you must provide the Association Secretary of the Alumni Executive Committee with a written notice of your intention at least thirty days in advance.

Refund Policy
Upon your resignation, you will receive a refund that includes all your contributions, such as savings, shares, dividends, and interests. However, this refund will be processed only after all pending deductions and fines have been settled from your account.
For the refund of your shares and welfare akiba, you have two options:

Transfer or Sale: You can transfer or sell your shares and welfare akiba to any other member of the association who is willing to buy them at a rate you both agree upon.

Direct Refund: You can receive a direct refund, which will be processed six months from the date of your official resignation or membership termination.

Based on the GWASA by-laws, you are allowed to withdraw a portion of your funds even if you are not interested in taking a loan.

Here are the specific details:

• You can withdraw a maximum of 60% of your available savings at the end of every year.
• Interests earned on savings and dividends on shares are disbursed between 16th – 31st December each financial year.
• To initiate a withdrawal, you must submit a formal application.

Based on the GWASA by-laws, to qualify for welfare and benevolence support, a member must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a duly registered member.
• You must have contributed to at least 80% of the last 10 welfare and benevolence contributions.
• Your membership must be paid up, with no more than three months of arrears on defaulted shares.
• You must have registered your personal details with the Department of Welfare and Benevolence.
• You must provide sufficient proof of need to the department.
• You must have complied with all the by-laws of the welfare and benevolence department.

Submitting falsified information to secure support is an offense and will result in disciplinary action. If your welfare contribution rating is below 80%, you can redeem yourself by paying all missed contributions plus a fine of 50% of the value of the missed contributions.

Based on the GWASA by-laws, you can receive financial support through the welfare and benevolence fund under the following circumstances:

• Hospitalization: Support is provided to members who are hospitalized.
• Bereavement: Support is provided in the event of a death of a member or their immediate family.

To qualify for this support, you must be a registered member, have contributed to at least 80% of the last 10 welfare and benevolence contributions, and have no more than three months of arrears on defaulted shares.

You must also provide sufficient proof of need to the Department of Welfare and Benevolence.

Based on the GWASA constitution, the contributions for the welfare and benevolence fund are as follows:

• A minimum of Ksh. 600 when a member loses a parent or child.
• A minimum of Ksh. 1,000 when a member or their spouse passes away.
• Other health-implications related cases are determined based on the magnitude and urgency of need by the welfare and benevolence department.

These contributions are to be made within a maximum of four days from the date of approval by the Welfare and Benevolence Department.

• Based on the GWASA constitution and by-laws, welfare and benevolence contributions, once approved by the welfare and benevolence department, are compulsory and must be supported within 4 days.” Additionally, to be eligible for welfare and benevolence support, a member must have contributed to at least 80% of the last 10 contributions for these funds.
• Furthermore, to maintain an active membership and qualify for any benefits, you must have a paid-up membership with no more than three months of arrears on defaulted shares. This indicates that consistent financial participation is necessary to access the benefits provided by the welfare and benevolence fund.

The Welfare Akiba, also known as the Welfare and Endowment Fund, has the following policies and requirements:

1. Contributions

• Mandatory Contribution: Members must make a mandatory monthly contribution of Ksh. 250 to the Welfare Akiba Funds.
• Minimum Threshold: This mandatory contribution continues until a member’s account reaches the minimum required amount of Ksh. 3000.
• Flexibility: You have the liberty to pay the monthly obligation of Ksh. 250 either monthly or as a lump sum.

2. Support and Benefits

• The fund is used to provide financial support to members who are hospitalized or bereaved.
• To qualify for this support, you must have contributed to at least 80% of the last 10 welfare and benevolence contributions and your membership must be paid up.
• If your Welfare Akiba falls below the required Ksh. 3000, it takes precedence over other savings and shares contributions.

3. Withdrawals and Refunds

• The Welfare Akiba is not refundable in the same way as regular savings.
• Upon resignation, your Welfare Akiba is only refundable six months after the date of your official resignation or membership termination.
• Alternatively, you can choose to transfer or sell your shares and Welfare Akiba to another member at a mutually agreed-upon rate.

Beyond loans and welfare support, GWASA Family membership offers several other benefits, primarily related to community engagement, financial opportunities, and organizational participation:

• Financial Benefits: As an active member, you can receive dividends from the association’s projects and interests from loans, which are shared proportionally based on your contributions.
• Networking and Social Development: The association promotes academic, cultural, and social issues through reunion activities and effective networks. It aims to build lasting relationships and cultivate goodwill with the school and the community.
• Leadership and Involvement: As a member, you have the opportunity to engage in activities that support academic, cultural, and social development. Affiliate members are also eligible to run for any executive committee position and join departments upon appointment.
• Organizational Participation: You are able to participate in all GWASA voting processes. The association also aims to be responsive to the needs of its members and encourages suggestions and input to improve performance and strengthen partnerships.

• Support for Gongo Warom Secondary School: The association assists the school in its growth, socio-cultural, and co-curricular activities, as well as community service.