MAY 2012
Dear Friends of CALU,
Your support continues to work miracles! Let me tell you the impact our micro-finance loans are having on one woman in our program, and upon our children who are learning animal husbandry.
Resty Birungi ran a small vegetable stall outside her home in rural Nabbingo, and sold a few items on a good day - enough to help with family expenses.
Thanks to a micro-finance loan from ChangeALife Uganda in 2011, Resty Birungi has seen her business improve. She has expanded her stall to a little shop, a short one-eighth of a mile walking distance from her home, and in it installed shelves on which to display her fresh produce. With the loan she also has been able to purchase more goods to sell which has attracted an increase in business from the community. To secure her inventory, when she closes the shop at the end of the day, she purchased wooden storage containers - something she was not able to do before.
Her income continues to grow and she is reliable in repaying her loan from CALU. She has joined two "cash round groups" - an investment system for her savings, and she plans to open a savings account in a local bank soon. Resty Birungi is married. She, her husband and six children live in a slum outside of Kampala. CALU sponsors a daughter and two sons in Nabbingo: Nakayiza Kevin (daughter) sponsored by J&J Baby team, Guija Richard sponsored by Shelly Masterson. The summer CCD Program of St. Pius Church in Old Tappan sponsors Kawooya Erineo and helped the family. In 2010, the 6th grade class raised $330 for his sponsorship and $146 for the family. They plan to continue their support again this year.
Resty Birungi is one of 40 women improving their lives through CALU micro-finance loans. Some make jewelry, others weave baskets, a few will soon make bricks from vegetable compost and all are empowered with a sense of accomplishment Over 200 residents of Migyera, dressed in their finest, took seats under two large tents shading them from the afternoon sun to witness the formal dedication of their new St. Francis Health Center in Migyera, Uganda on Wednesday, July 4.
Rumson Contry Day School
In 2011, ChangeALife Uganda entered a new phase of its partnership with Rumson Country Day School through The Microfinance Loan Project. With a generous grant of $1,500. by RCDS, the ChangeALife Foundation in Uganda was able to distribute loans ranging from $13 to $90. to students, teachers, and parents within the ChangeALife community. Women, children, and teachers were empowered by their successes while earning income to donate and reinvest in the project, provide basic needs for families, and very importantly, to educate children.
While the women are learning new skills and trades, 16 of our CALU children are learning to be successful farmers by raising animals for market through our loan program.They have taken goats, chickens, rabbits or pigs to raise, breed, and expand their business. They sell animals, first to repay their loans, then for income. Like their mothers, the children develop self-confidence and learn practical skills to advance their opportunities for work and self-sufficiency after they graduate from school.
Let me introduce you to some of them:
Nakamya Elizabeth raised a goat that recently gave birth to one male kid. She plans to sell the kid to repay her loan. Her mama goat is expecting again so Elizabeth is learning that care of her goat means income.
Namagembe Doreen, who is now in Primary Seven, was pleased her female pig produced eight healthy, lively piglets. She plans to sell one piglet to cover her loan. The sow is expecting another litter so Doreen's business is growing. She plans to be a commercial farmer.
Namuli Elizabeth, who is in Primary Five, turned her two hens and one cock into 11 chicks. She is building a coop for her brood and, with the sale of chicks and eggs, will soon pay back her loan.
Agaba Brian, who is in Primary Seven, welcomed two male kids form his goat and hopes to sell one kid soon to repay his loan. He loves farming, daring the scorching sun to ensure his goats are fed.
Sonko Brian, now in Primary Six, constructed a large crate to house his kids as his goat herd grows. He is proud of his accomplishment and will soon pay back his loan.
Sengozi Moses, a Primary Seven student, opted for three rabbits which have delivered seven "bunnies" so far. Moses sees a large market for rabbits, and with a short gestation period, his supply will grow quickly and he will repay his loan in no time.
Lukwago John, who is in Primary Five at St. Jude Kakooge, is pleased his sow will soon deliver piglets.
Thank you so much for your generous support of all of CALU's programs which makes our mirco-finance projects possible. We invite you to send a donation today. Your added gift, beyond tuition sponsorship, puts income generating skills into the hands of our parents and children and truly changes lives in Uganda.
Sincerely,
Jean Semler
Jean Semler
President
P.S. You may make a contribution on-line by clicking onto our secure site...Make a contribution on our secure site at ChangeALife Uganda.org
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