I have invested in agriculture and I can now pay school fees for my children and even pay medical bills

My name is Badoru Ismael. I am 35 years old. I’m married and have 2 children, a boy and a girl.

Before I joined “Umoja VSLA group”, I was doing gold mining and did not have any idea about saving. I used to get money and just spend it on alcohol and drinking with my friends. One time my sister was rushed to a hospital for an operation that required money. I did not have it because I had already spent it all. The operation could not be done without money. This became a turning point for me.

When Nascent RDO-U came to our village in Utut, they taught us about groups and saving. It was interesting. I joined “Umoja VSLA group” and was even elected as a chairperson. I have been saving money and borrowing from my group. I have invested in agriculture, I can now pay school fees for my children and even pay medical bills. I rarely even go for gold mining because it is too much risk for me.

This is my second cycle of saving. In my first cycle, I managed to buy a goat at 120,000 UGX which gave birth to kids. In this second cycle I plan to buy a cow.

This project has really changed my life.