A Small Seed of Unity and involvement of World Vision made the Agali-Awamu Saving Group blossom
In the small community of Kigando B LC1, Mulagi Sub-county, a remarkable story of growth, cooperation, and transformation unfolds one that exemplifies how collective effort and support can uplift an entire community. This is the story of the AgaliAwamu Saving Group, a community-driven initiative that started as a simple neighbourly idea and blossomed into a thriving business network, thanks in part to the invaluable involvement of World Vision.
My name is Jeremiah, and I serve as the Chairperson of the Agali-Awamu Saving Group. Our journey began in 2014 with just 13 members neighbours who shared a vision of financial stability and mutual growth. Over the years, as trust and commitment grew, more community members joined us. Today, our group boasts 30 members, 14 men and 16 women, who come together every Thursday to save, borrow, and share.
Our group operates on a simple yet effective model: members save regularly, borrow within their means, and share the accumulated savings and interest at year’s end. Each share costs 4,000 Uganda shillings (approximately 1.1 USD), with members permitted to hold up to five shares totalling 20,000 shillings (approximately 6 USD) per person. Our collective effort has resulted in impressive milestones: last year, we accumulated 30 million Uganda shillings (8275 USD), which was shared among members, allowing each dedicated saver to walk away with approximately 1.5 million shillings (414 USD).
With 51 active saving weeks annually, each member typically saves around 1,020,000 shillings (Approximately 282) in a year. Those who consistently save and borrow end up earning additional interest about 480,000 shillings (approximately 132 USD) turning their savings into meaningful income. This financial discipline has empowered members like myself to expand our livelihoods, educate our children, and improve our living standards. Our journey would not have been possible without the support and guidance of World Vision. They introduced us to effective financial management, saving techniques, and responsible borrowing.
We received saving books, record-keeping materials, and other resources that taught us discipline and the importance of saving for the future. Their training helped us organize and manage our funds transparently, fostering trust and unity within the group. Thanks to the financial stability we’ve built, I, like many others, have been able to grow my business dealing in maize, beans, and coffee. When my funds run low, I borrow from the group, which allows me to continue running my business smoothly.
The profits have enabled me to educate my children, build a house, purchase a car, and raise domestic animals achievements made possible through disciplined saving and borrowing. Today, our group is a shining example of community development. We engage in farming, animal rearing, and education transforming our community into a better place to live.
We are grateful to World Vision for their support to community development. Their involvement has been a game-changer, turning neighbors into prosperous business partners.
By Matthew Kisa, Communications Officer.