Nakyerongosa is working helping women to generate income so as to improve their household welfare through operation of a micro-credit/revolving fund.

Women in Nakyerongosa have been involved in “gift circles” and organized groups locally known as “NIGINA merry go rounds” for a number of years. The “circles” operate in such a way that members (who are mainly women) contribute around 500 – 1,000 Uganda shillings each month and that is used to buy household items that are given to one woman during the “nigina” ceremony.

The Nakyerongosa Nigina group was founded in August, 2006 and comprises of 20 female members. The members have been receiving gifts such as household items from each other when their turn arrives. However, the group wants to begin pooling resources together so that instead of receiving items, members give out cash to a member during her turn so that she begins operation of an income generating activity. Prospective income generating activities that members want to engage in include poultry rearing, piggery, vegetable gardening, sale of water through ownership of a tank, food joint and hair saloons. It is anticipated that this revised “nigina” system will lead to an avenue of creating personal wealth from within members who have a common cause. Through the Nigina, Nakyerongosa village will be able to have a collective way of saving in order to provide small start up loans and thus enable members to earn a source of income.

For this task, we would like assistance developing materials that can be used to help us market the work being done with this project. There are a number of ways that neighbours can help to promote the micro- credit/ revolving fund for the women in Nakyerongosa village and these include:

• Making a donation which will enable the households to be able to pool together resources for start up

• Be involved and partner with Nakyerongosa community. You can choose to be a volunteer and come to Nakyerongosa and work with the community members as they strive to improve their welfare.

• Connect or put Nakyerongosa village in touch with individuals or members of who are able to share with us similar projects and offer advice and support

• Share this information with your friends and family. Please tell other friends and family members about this project and ask them to get involved and contribute in whatever way they can.

We do hope that you will put Nakyerongosa village on your agenda and strive to help the people who are in need. We thank all those who have been involved and hope that many more people will be become partners too.