Overall health and well-being are rooted in access to basics—including the opportunity for economic development.
Years ago, WaterSchool began training communities to develop their own Village Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs). The idea is simple—in a community, about 20 households will come together to create a VSLA. Each member-household buys into the association with a monthly investment of UGX 20,000 (approximately $7 CDN). They then meet regularly to manage their investment by approving loans, collecting repayments and interest, and then allocate the surplus to members or direct it to community projects.
While we know that VSLAs are great at providing the social bonds and capital to maintain WASH facilities, we also see that they provide access to capital for members to elevate their own personal economic activities. Access to clean water, hygiene facilities and good sanitation practices are tied to having the financial resources to afford things like soap, SaTo pans, and more. Investments in people's businesses, in turn, means more money in their pockets to reinvest in their own families' health and well-being.
In 2020, we supported the formation of 88 new Village Savings & Loan Associations.
Akoth Mary: 78 Years Old
“I borrowed UGX 10,000 from the Village Savings & Loan to start my business of making pancakes and mandazi (doughnuts). I realized that everyone was selling fish and I decided to choose a different business idea so that I make more profit. I am able to make a profit of UGX 3,000 per day from my sales. I am able to buy food for my household and also invest in my gardens by buying seeds such as maize and beans.”
Auma Juliette: 40 Years Old
“I borrowed UGX 50,000 to invest in selling onions, tomatoes and fish. I have paid back my loan and the profits I made have helped me to provide food and other essentials for my children. I pay their school fees much more easily now. I can also now hire someone to weed my garden while I attend to my business. I would like this VSLA to even grow bigger so that we are able to borrow more money and invest in bigger projects.”
Nyadoi Loy Mary: 64 Years Old
“I joined the Village Savings & Loan in October 2020 and I borrowed UGX 60,000 to start a business selling fish. I made a profit of UGX 20,000 which I used to pay back the loan in bits. I then reinvested my profits and capital and now, I am able to pay for my three grandchildren’s school fees.”
Oboth Gideon: Chair of Village
Savings & Loan
"I borrowed money to restock my shop, which increased my profits. This has enabled me to pay school fees for my children in time and pay our medical bills. All our members have benefitted in various ways but most importantly, the Village Savings & Loan Program has improved all of our livelihoods—we have been equipped with knowledge on how to save and start projects that benefit our whole community."