- Lira, Northern Uganda
Sparking Self-Sufficiency in Africa Through Sustainable Income
Northern Uganda was severely affected by the Lord’s resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. Children abducted by the LRA rebels were forced to participate in war crimes against humanity against their will. Many of the children lost their lives. Young girls were given out as sex slaves to commanders. Some girls contracted HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The majority of them became child mothers at tender ages, children bearing children with the LRA rebel commanders while in captivity.
With relative peace, the region is in a critical and historic period of transition. Most of the surviving formerly abducted children and youths have returned home only to face numerous challenges. Child mothers are particularly affected, although some are accepted by their families, the majority are rejected. Most of these children lost many of their formative years in captivity and have outgrown school going age. They further have no skills to get or create jobs. Rejected by family and neglected by society, formerly abducted children/youth are among the most vulnerable in northern Uganda.
All families, were impacted by the LRA, forced to live in camps for their own safety. They returned home with nothing to homes destroyed, farms untouched and had to start their lives over.
Local Resources are Accessed. Pilot Light formed Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) groups to enable these people known as Returnees to start and grow businesses and builds the savings and loan culture, so that one day they will be able to graduate to a bank. Being able to save is an open door to the micro finance banks.
Groups Begin by Saving. Focus is on the Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) methodology, because we believe that the VSLA are the best way for people living in poverty to achieve sustainability of income. Group members are trained in how to save together as a group, give each other loans intended to start or grow their businesses, hold each other accountable for payback with a 2% interest. That interest helps the savings pot grow larger, bigger loans become available, incomes grow and families are transformed. Currently, there are 31 VSLA groups, comprised of 932 members in total.
Support and Outcome. Once we see, through their ability to save, that a new VSLA group is committed, we provide Seed Money to boost the savings pot and make more capital available more quickly. Learning to use each loan as a stepping stone up to the next level of earning and then to the next loan and so on, families are able to eat well, send kids to school, afford healthcare, even buy land.
Economic Self-Sufficiency. Ability for the 932 beneficiaries to meet basic needs of food and shelter for themselves and their children and to rebuild the lives that were interrupted by war.
Reintegration Into Society. Economic Empowerment ensures a place and an identity within the community.
Lives Are Rebuilt. Members who master the Savings and Loan Culture to create a sustainable, livable income and serve as Role Models for other members
