GGDS FOUNDERS
Meet the Founders
The Grand Granite Diaspora Sacco (GDDS) and The Grand Granite Diaspora Investment were founded and registered in Kenya under the Co-Operative Societies ACT (Cap. 490, Section 6 (3) in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The SACCO idea was not new but surfaced out of a living room dinner discussion between Dr. Jacob Ongaki (Professor & GGDS/I Treasurer) and Madam Lilian Ongaki (GGDS/I Marketing Chair and Healthcare Administration) during the COVI-19 pandemic lockdown. The ideas were shared to close friends Ms. Emilly Ondari (GGDS/I Tender Secretary & Business and Healthcare), Mr. Richard Ondari, and (GGDS/I Chairman & Certified Rehabilitation Counselor), Ms. Jerusha Mangera (GGDS/I Vice-Chair & Program Housing Manager). Failing to identify specific Savings and Credits Cooperatives that were suitable to our needs and financial goals, the founders discussed the idea with friends and families who became core members.
Dr. Jacob Ongaki
Professor &
GGDS/I Treasurer
Lilian Ongaki
GGDS/I Marketing Chair and Healthcare Administration
Mr. Richard Ondari
GGDS/I Chairman & Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Emily Moturi
GGDS/I Tender Secretary & Business and Healthcare
Jerusha Mangera
GGDS/I Vice-Chair & Program Housing Manager
The founders settled on the member recruitment model of member-to-member referral (that became the GDDS SACCO’s core requirement strategy), member involvement in the decisions and affairs of the SACCO, growth that promotes equal economic opportunities for all members, and giving back to society.
The Journey
Lastly, form a cohesive culture and volunteerism by encouraging the leadership team to volunteer and sacrifice their resources to build a firm foundation. The committee will not draw any allowances until the SACCO is successful and profitable. These are leaders who embrace and support a dialogue among members and zero-tolerance for misuse of member funds. Safeguarding the members’ assets has become a culture in our SACCO.
The long-term vision (to grow and accumulate wealth and safeguard members’ savings that empowers their social and economic aspirations) was to create a SACCO that can make an impact in the local regions and gradually extend nationally. We believe that individual social duty takes precedence over collective social responsibility and yet reward individual goals embedded in our Motto “Together, we will transcend to greater financial heights”.
The founders were comfortable with onboarding GDDS SACCO members who share the common bond, values (Integrity, Teamwork, Accountability, Honesty, and Caring), development-oriented, and support of the community. The concept came to life on registration on July 20, 2020, and the official contribution kick off in September 2020. The investment arm was registered in April 2021 and the initial launch was in September 2021. The GDDS/GDDI comprises diverse professions (Accounting/Finance, Engineers, Medical Doctors, Professors, Nurses, Businesses, and many more) and regions. Our mission is to Collaborate with members by pooling resources to achieve sustainable lifetime financial freedom (savings and loans for the SACCO and wealth for investment members.