Rose Akello started a village savings group with 15 women. Two years later, the group has grown to 45 members and collectively saved over 12 million Ugandan shillings.
Rose Akello had always been resourceful, but like many women in post-conflict Northern Uganda, she lacked access to formal financial services. When RORU's Women in Enterprise Program came to her village in Paicho sub-county, Rose saw an opportunity.
Starting Small
Rose was among the first 15 women to form a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) with support from RORU. Each member contributed a minimum of 2,000 Ugandan shillings per week, and the group followed a structured savings and lending cycle.
"At first, some of us could barely afford the weekly contribution," Rose admits. "But we encouraged each other, and slowly our savings grew."
Growing Together
After completing business skills training through the program, Rose used a small loan from the VSLA to start selling dried fish at the local market. Other members invested in poultry, vegetable gardens, and small retail shops.
Two years later, the group has grown to 45 members and collectively saved over 12 million Ugandan shillings. Members have used loans to pay school fees, build better homes, and expand their businesses.
"We call ourselves 'Kica Ber' — it means 'tomorrow is good' in Acholi," Rose says proudly. "Because with RORU's help, we now believe that tomorrow really can be better."