New Uganda projects funded by ESTC!

Hi everyone,

The ESTC team is excited to tell you that we’ve just sent out some new grants to our partners! In this blog post, we’ll focus on a $5,000 grant from our women’s empowerment cause which has just been sent to The Real Uganda. This grant will be used to support two projects:

YOFAFO’s micro-credit program

Source: YOFAFO

This program currently provides loans to local women in the village of Bulumagi to diversify their businesses and buy equipment which they previously rented. It has been very successful with 96% of all loans having been paid back in full.

The ESTC grant will allow YOFAFO to now give out larger loans to past clients who have paid back their loans, and give out small starter loans to new clients. With increased loans given out, the local population will expand their own businesses/investments, leading to higher household incomes in the immediate area.

In addition, the grant will fund a one-day workshop to educate all beneficiaries and employees about the importance of saving and investing, account security and privacy, and appropriate record keeping.

YOFAFO’s animal project

Source: pictoe.com

YOFAFO started a similar program in the village of Kitoola, but gave out animals instead of cash. The project has so far circulated 34 pigs, 5 goats, over 120 chickens and 1 cow. The project has been so successful that YOFAFO asked the women what they wanted to do next. YOFAFO was asked to bring cows because they have higher value, are easier to keep alive, and easier for project officers to keep track of.

The ESTC grant will allow YOFAFO to give out 4 improved breed cows to local Kitoola women. Women will qualify for the program by building a cow shelter, growing elephant grass for feed, and showing the $7 fee they’ll need to mate the cow. The first cow born will be returned to YOFAFO to be given out to the next member in line. Improved breed cows give 25 litres of milk per day, which is far beyond the 3 litres of milk a regular local cow gives. This will be a slow growth project as a cow is pregnant for 9 months but improved breed cows can conceive again 4 months after giving birth.

Women have increased self-esteem and independence by keeping their own animals. Culturally, women keeping animals is normal in Uganda and the women will use the income created to feed and educate their children.

The ESTC team is really proud to be supporting such great projects! A big thank you to The Real Uganda and YOFAFO for their amazing work.

- Eliza