BRAC Uganda Village Organization meeting for Microfinance

On a cloudy day, with rain threatening, BRAC VO members from Nansana Branch crowded inside a member's home, Rebecca's, to conduct their weekly meeting with Grace, their BRAC Credit Officer, to collect repayments on their business loans. Rebecca is a Community Health Promoter who is in the poultry business. She took a 300,000 Schilling loan to buy chickens, feed and a 'drinker' for their water. Now she's equipped with 20,000 Schillings worth of health related products to sell as she does health education in her neighborhood. Linda is the group Treasurer. Others is the group include Justine who makes handicrafts (mats, wall posters, supplies for cultural theaters), Betty who is a tailor, Margaret who has a small shop in front of her home selling tomatoes, bananas and other fresh produce and snacks, Joanne and Juliette who sell second hand clothers, Dorothy and Judith who have poultry businesses, Lukeya who makes snacks to sell to small shops, Kedine who makes and lays bricks and sells firewood, Salama who sells second hand shoes, Tete who sells fresh fruit, Mary who sells tablecloths that she stiches and decorates with flowers, Annette who sells bananas and who makes chapatis to sell from her stand, and Lillian who used a 500,000 schilling loan to buy a refrigerator. I asked Lillian what she does with a fridge and she replied that she squeezes juice and sells water and cold drinks in a small retail shop. And when the power goes out? Lillian smiled and replied, "Yes that happens often. I just put the perishable items in the freezer and wait and pray it comes on again."

I noticed that about 10 of the members had cell phones that they said they use for business, "customers call us; I order supplies."

When I asked about challenges they face, Rebecca said, "the food is often too little in our homes and there are so many orphans in this area. There doesn't seem to be enough to pay all the school fees and medicines are now so costly." The majority are caring for orphans in their homes because of the ravages of HIV/AIDs.

When I asked if they had ideas to make more money, so many excitedly spoke at once. The consensus seemed to be that poulty was a profitable idea for many, one mentioned raising pigs and a few wanted to open a hair salon or shop.

Susan