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. 3,000). Under the 2026 Constitution these registration fees are set by the Recruitment and Membership Department by-laws.
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. 250 monthly Welfare Akiba until Ksh. 3,000 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. Qualifying members may borrow up to 3 times their savings with confirmation from three qualified guarantors, repayable over 3, 6 or 9 months with interest, as set out in the Finance, Strategy and Projects Department by-laws. Members with savings arrears of more than 2 months do not qualify. 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.
Resigning or terminated members are entitled to a refund of savings, shares, dividends and interest after pending deductions and fines — either by transfer/sale of shares to a willing member, or a direct refund six months after resignation or termination.
After 10 consecutive years of uninterrupted membership or 20 years of cumulative membership, you become a Life Member and cease paying annual subscriptions.
