Changed life through SSF Loan Scheme

Sharifa (Not real name) aged 32, is a married woman with two (2) children, a primary school teacher by profession and an enterprising farmer residing at Mukokoma village in Kirowooza Parish in Lyantonde Sub-County of Lyantonde District. She is a micro – credit beneficiary from Kyewanula Bakyala Kwekulakulanya Group. She was born in Kyewanula village, Kyewanula Parish in Lyantonde Sub-County of Lyantonde district. Sharifa (Not real name) is the third born in a family of six (6) girls and three (3) boys. Both her parents are still alive. Her parents were teachers and educated her up to ordinary level (O-Level) or Senior four (S.4) level. Due to the many children who were still in school by that time, she did not continue after senior four (S.4) since the parents did not have the money to enable her continue with school. She decided to get married to a businessman from Lyantonde Town where she had worked as a housemaid for a period of two (2) years.

Her mother has been a member of Kyewanula Bakyala Kwekulakulanya Group since 2009. Sharifa (Not real name) was recommended by her mother to join their group. She got a loan of UGX 300,000= at the first cycle which she used to a young bull which she kept for six months and sold them for a profit. After paying well for the first cycle, she decided to go back to school to complete at least a certificate level. She got another loans UGX 500,000=, which she invested part of the loan to grow seasonal crops and the rest was used to pay for her tuition at Ndegeya Primary Teachers College (PTC). She used to study on in-service program which was during the holidays. During this time, she started teaching in a primary school in her village and during holidays she could go to college for studies. Through teaching she got some income to pay for the loan and for sustaining her family as she also kept bull cattle for the income. After completing the course, decided to sell the bulls she had and bought a plot of land 25ftby 100ft at UGX 2 million where she later constructed a permanent house. When she got another loan of UGX 1,500,000/=, she used part of it to buy a cow for milk production and the rest of the money was used to make bricks for constructing her house. She sold some bricks to raise money to buy some materials for her house. With the loan of 1,500,000/=from micro-credit, she constructed a 3 roomed house where she stays with her two (2) children. She got another loan of UGX 1,500,000/= and bought a cow at UGX 600,000 and two (2) bulls with the rest of the loan. She has been rearing the bulls for a long period and would sell them to buy different assets such as land, banana plantation, and cows. She has been in the program for ten (10) years and she bought a piece of land where she has a house and a small garden where she grows green vegetables for home consumption. She has banana plantation where she gets food for the family. She also rears local chicken for eggs and for income. She has three (3) mature cows with two (2) calves. The two (2) cows with calves provide milk where she gets ten (10) litres every day, which she sells at UGX 1,200/= each. The income from the milk helps to cater for the family needs such as soap, sugar and necessities.

Sharifa (Not real name) is proud of being a member in one of the SSF microfinance groups because of the benefits she has gained from the program. Summayiya has not only benefited from the loans given to her, but also benefited from the sensitization during loan recovery such maintaining sanitation at their homes through constructing sanitation facilities like the drying rack, bath shelter, pit latrine, kitchen, and two dustbins. She says that she has learnt how to work hard through engaging in different enterprises such as cattle rearing, goat rearing, seasonal crop growing, and bull fattening in order to raise income.

She recommends that SSF-U should continue supporting the women through giving them loans and mentain the grace period after giving out the loans. She also requests that the organization should increase on the loan amount beyond UGX 2 million and also introduce other loan products like school fees and solar loans. She also recommends that SSF-U should provide clients who are farmers with improved seeds of high yield to increase on their production.

She calls upon other members to stick to one lending institution (SSF-U) to avoid multiple borrowing which does not encourage development of their families. She also encourages them to be trustworthy and pay well their loans such that SSF-U should continue giving them loans. Sharifa (Not real name)’s dream is to be a model farmer who uses a small piece of land to achieve more output using modern technology.

After completing A-level and during the COVID19 period, she stayed at home. She was then identified and mentored to become a peer DREAMS AGYW community facilitator for stepping stones in October 2021 and worked with DREAMS from November 2021 to May 2022.

“Through facilitating stepping stones, I was paid and have been able to save UGX 320,000= for the seven (7) months with an aim of joining university to pursue a degree in ICT. Out of the 320,000=, I was able to contribute UGX 120,000= towards school fees for my younger sister’s final term (ordinary level)”, Sara narrates.

Sara was offered a one-year contract job as the Administrative Assistant at the newly opened SSF-U DREAMS office in Rakai district. She hopes the opportunity will develop her career. She plans to enroll for ICT degree after saving enough money to cater for her tuition fees.

“You have to be determined, resilient and apply the skills you gain from DREAMS for your day to today life, as this will help you achieve your goals” Sara advices her fellow AGYW. Sara has a talent in singing and her dream is to become a famous artist after her education. She concludes by saying, “I want to appreciate SSF-U and RHSP for the DREAMS opportunity because this has made me a responsible AGYW who is a role model to my fellow AGYW.”