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Two microenterprise initiative success stories from Five Talents work in Uganda
'Rather than try to combat poverty from the top-down, microenterprise fights poverty from the ground up by working to directly to change the lives of those most affected by poverty' - Bishop Simon Chiwanga, Tanzania.
There are thousands of entrepreneurs currently receiving and paying back small loans to/from Five Talents partners. A selection of stories are shown below from the current programmes around the world. These are the success stories. However, in every programme there are some failures where the loans have not been repaid and the businesses have not grown. Sometimes this is because clients have died, someone in the family has fallen sick, there has been fire, theft, or drought or bad business planning or practices. This is a feature of working with the vulnerable poor in the real world. But the vast majority of loans do make a big difference and we are committed to continue providing hope and a way out of poverty through micro-finance. Be encouraged as you read on...
Joy – Kabale, Uganda
After Joy’s husband died of malaria, she found herself alone, taking care of six children in the Kabale District of Uganda, near the Rwanda border. Instead of giving up in despair, she started a brick-making business. With a small loan of £100 and some savings she was able to purchase a small piece of land and employ eight people to make bricks. In just four months, she sold £100 worth of bricks with an inventory worth £250 available for sale. Since 2003, she has taken several further loans to enlarge her brick-making business. She also has expanded into growing potatoes and operating a small store. The profits from her business allow her to provide for her children's education and to employ 13 people who now can support their families as well.
Elisha – Kasese, Uganda
Elisha lives in Kasese, Uganda, in the Diocese of South Rwenzori. Although he has polio and relies on a wheelchair to get around, he has tremendous entrepreneurial spirit! In 2002, Elisha participated in a business training seminar offered by a Five Talents Business team from the USA. The team reviewed his business plan and discussed with Elisha ways to make his business profitable and sustainable. Elisha took out loan of £40. When a subsequent Business team returned to Kasese in 2005, they found Elisha running a successful shoe repair business with five apprentices!
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