OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECT
 
The Kibagare community outreach project, whose aim is to transform livelihoods through empowerment to help increase the ability to sustain themselves and be resilient. Focus is on the women and guardians of the children who school at St Martins. We have had a good year despite the harsh environment due to the pandemic. It has been a challenge for the community here due to loss of employment and hard living conditions for most of the beneficiaries of our program.

During this time of the pandemic, most of our members having lost their incomes, started small businesses with funds loaned from the groups. The businesses did not fair very well as the markets had the same products and with the same set of customers.

The living standards for the community here have been harsh, making it hard to afford the most basic of needs, with housing being a major challenge due to lack of rent and also the inability to guarantee meals even with the provision of food baskets from well wishers and the school. The community here understand the importance of engaging in community activities/initiatives and this creates a sense of ownership.

Today some 13 groups have 176 members. Members did not have a chance to hold their regular meetings due to the pandemic and this has been a challenge. Despite this we have seen success stories of women who have changed their lives thanks to their involvement in the savings and loan group.This Outreach Project is a great opportunity to grow and build on their small businesses. Through the groups, members are able to: seek medical care, pay bills & take loans to boost business and better support their children and families.