Laughter Joyce, a mother of two (2) children in Alio-onji VSLA group located in Lobule Sub County, Koboko District said,
“I have been in a VSLA group before for the past three (3) years in which I did not realize any benefit from it as a result of no guidance on VSLA group dynamics and management, but when I decided with my husband who at times helps me financially and encouraged me to join Alio-onji VSLA group formed by CERID, I got some guidance and trainings in savings, loans management and business skills that motivated me to borrow a loan of 200,000 Ugx, I used 80,000 Ugx for renting a piece of land, 40,000 for buying cabbage seeds, 70,000 Ugx for buying insecticides and 10,000 for planting 2,000 pieces of cabbages with an aim of getting enough food and income. I prepared a nursery bed for cabbages and after transplanting, it was growing well and ready for sale now. My plan is to build a semi-permanent house in the future from the farming business and accumulated saving that I am focusing on”.
CERID’s CBT Mr. Swaib interacting with Mrs. Laughter Joyce during supervision of business progress in Lobule S/C Koboko District. CERID’s CBT Mr. Anguyo Swaib interacting with Mrs. Laughter Joyce as CERID’s project Manager Mrs. Apayi Salila is inspecting the quality of the business during a supervision of business progress in Lobule S/C Koboko District.
Amaniyo Rukia a mother of five (5) children in Alio-waku VSLA group said;
“Before I joined the group, I had bought a grinding machine as an Income Generating Activity for my family which later broke down and I abandoned it. But when I joined Alio-Wako VSLA group formed by CERID, I was taught some business skills during the Selection, Planning & Management (SPM) of IGAs. This prompted me to borrow a loan of 70,000 Ugx out of which I used 40,000 Ugx to repair the grinding Mill which is now functioning and I used the balance of 30,000 Ugx for buying some eggs and cooking oil as a side business. However, I can now pay my children school fees and when they fall sick, I am able to take them for treatment using the profit gained from this IGA”
Madam Apayi Salila, the project officer CERID interacting with madam Amaniyo Uruia of Alio-Waku VSLA group in her business premises in Lobule S/C. CERID staff Mrs. Anguyo Swaib and Mrs. Apayi Salila interacting with Madam Amaniyo Rukia as she is starting the engine of her grinding mill which is her IGA business.
Osumaru Amina, a mother of four (4) and a member of Alio-onji VSLA group in Lobule S/C, Koboko District;
“I have not been in a VSLA group before but later I joined Alio-onji VSLA group formed by CERID, I got encouraged after been advised by my husband to pick a manageable loan and I decided to pick my first loan of 80,000 Ugx from the group which I used to plant some cassava in a half hectare piece of land. I planted the improved variety of cassava which takes 6-7 months before harvest and at the moment, it is ready for consumption and I am selling part of it to cater for my other needs such as paying school fees for my two children who are in Lurujo P/S and also buy uniform, now I have enough food in my house to feeding on”.
Mrs.Osumaru Amina shows off her cassave tubers after harvesting. She used the loan she got from the group to plough a garden of cassava. Mrs. Apayi Salila a CERID staff interacting with Madam Osumaru Amina on how she planted the cassava as Mr. Anguyo Swaib CERID CBT was listening.
A major objective of establishing VSLA is to support local economic development through financial intermediation. VSLA brings community members who save for mutually agreeable objectives and take out small loans from those savings to expand their business, pay their children needs and support households activities.
Kokari VSLA is one of such groups in Bajoga east community formed by Gamunan with support from CIHP.
This is a story of 2 women (Wasila and Aishatu Shamaki) in the community who excelled in business implementation through VSLA approach.
They both live lacking basic needs and limited access to finance. During home visit, our caseworker, Celestina Cyril was able to assess and recommend their participation into VSLA.