Mission: Empower Ugandan Women to Rise Out of Poverty
Sustainable Income-Generation Projects for Ugandan Women
Outreach Uganda’s mission is to help empower Ugandan women in our three women’s groups to improve all areas of their lives so that they can rise above poverty. So sustainable income-generation projects are a key focus to help empower Ugandan women to get out of poverty.
OU helps market the women’s fair trade crafts here in the U.S. The women are encouraged to save up money from these bead and craft sales so they can use these monies to start group or individual businesses which they can do all year long in Uganda.
Micro-credit loans from their group’s internal revolving loan fund provide additional help for the ladies. They can either start businesses or further expand their existing businesses to a level that will help them overcome poverty. Studies show that sustainable income-generation is the most effective tool to help empower Ugandan women.
Income Generation: the Key to Help Ugandan Women to Rise Out of Poverty
Our Jinja and Agwata Uganda women’s groups are very excited about their income-generation efforts. Both groups are undertaking group as well as individual projects. Many women are using monies they have earned from doing beading and sewing activities. The Jinja women have many different businesses. These include local neighborhood grocery kiosks, poultry businesses, selling posho and other food items, sewing school uniforms, and selling dried fish.
Our Agwata women’s group works mostly on individual agricultural projects raising cash crops. So the women grow sesame, beans, sorghum, peanuts and millet. Read more about our Ugandan women’s stories.
Because Agwata is a rural village, and the women are living on their ancestral lands, their group and individual income-generation activities are focused on farming endeavors.
Training in Growing Your Own Business Helps Our Ugandan Women Succeed in Sustainable Income-Generation Projects
Jobs are scarce in Uganda, especially for poor people with no connections and little or no formal education. It is difficult for us in developed countries to understand what “no work” means. It means sitting on the curb of your town’s main street with your sewing machine for 12 long hours each day. You hope for a customer or two to use your services. That would be just enough money to feed your family that day.
So to survive and have any chance at beating poverty, you must learn to create your own “work”. This gives the poor person a better chance than begging or being a “shop girl” in someone else’s retail shop or business for $1 per day.
Because of this, Outreach Uganda’s training and education programs for the Ugandan women focus on business skills. This includes teaching them how to run and grow their business, and how to be good leaders. This gives the women confidence. It also helps them develop into successful business women. We are always excited to see more Ugandan women completing our year long women’s business training program. We have had five classes graduate. Donate now to help one of our Ugandan women open or expand her business. And it also helps her save down payment money for a new home. Learn more about this Home Ownership Program for women.
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