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This Building Has Freed Us from Poverty!

BY KAREN KOSTER
Savings and Loans groups are a perfect example of how one couple's investment can help many families get out of poverty. Here, Irene and William proudly stand in front of their four room, multipurpose structure and explain how it has transformed their lives.

Nashisa is a small community in Mbale, Uganda that has been working with Food for the Hungry (FH) for almost eight years.

This community has progressed quickly as they had the advantage of seeing a successfully self-sustaining community close by—Bufukhula. [Watch the video of Bufukhula's graduation here!]

We approached Nashisa in our bus; as the town first came into view a celebration party made its way down the road toward us. 

Singing and dancing complete with brass band and costumes included community members of all ages. I was overwhelmed with their excitement to host yet another group of gawking white folk. 

Although school had only just started that week the school choir was assembled and neatly dressed in their uniforms to perform for us before welcome and thank you speeches began. The indoor presentation migrated outside to observe the official hand-over of dairy cow calves to new owners, part of the animal pay-it-forward program that continually multiplies the impact of one cow provided by FH. 

As I stood watching, my attention diverted to the children playing soccer in the school courtyard. Suddenly, I realized there was a woman standing quite close to me. A hand landed on my shoulder and an FH staff member explained that this was Irene. She remembered me from my visit three years ago! Wow! I was so speechless. 

With a humble smile, Irene said she wanted to show me her completed project that we saw in progress last time. 

After taking the scenic route around the community to see the new church, a well, and the spot where new teacher housing will be built, we finally arrived in front of a beautiful, single story brick building with a fabulous tin awning stretching the full length of the structure. Three years ago there were brick walls only about waist high and a huge pile of baked clay bricks sitting off to the side.

Now there stands a four-room building which Irene and her husband William rent out. Two units are rented by families to live in and two are rented by local businesses as shops.

Irene borrowed money from her Savings and Loans group to combine with her savings, enabling her to buy the materials for the building. Now the loan has long been paid off and Irene and William receive about $50 USD each month in rent.
“This building has freed us [from poverty]!” Irene exclaimed. 

As they proudly stood in front of their building William explained that the next time we come it will have a nice whitewash finish. 

Irene and William caught the vision of personally overcoming poverty and, with encouragement from FH staff and the backing of Irene’s savings group, they have not only built for themselves a sustainable source of income but have also helped other small business owners and two families to continue on their journey from stuck to thriving.

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Karen Koster is the FH Canada Director of International Programs. She has served with FH for over 15 years in multiple capacities, and now manages all of FH Canada's relationships with their eight field offices on three different continents.

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Food for the Hungry: This Building Has Freed Us from Poverty!
This Building Has Freed Us from Poverty!
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