“When my husband died in 2000,I lost hope because I was too weak and had lost a lot of weight yet he left me with 12 orphans” says Mbabazi Aida, a 48 year old widow.
Life has not been so smooth with Mbabazi because she has been sickly for quiet some time and she has a burden of orphans but she is a very committed and hardworking lady, supported by her children.
“My children know that I am weak, they are so cooperative and hardworking” says Aida.
Due to economic hardships the family was going through, compassion sponsored two of her orphans, Ampumuza Yvonne aged 14 years, and Aringaniza Ecobed aged 13 years.
She got some relief, at a time when she was very sick, compassion volunteered to provide her with transport to and from Mulago and she would meet the medical bills. Before she joined UGAFODE her business was too small to support the family.
She had earlier failed to access a loan to expand her business because of lack of security.
When she shared with a friend who is the principal of Rukungiri Technical institute about her desire to expand her business and her lack of collateral, the friend introduced her to UGAFODE and also agreed to give her a photocopier as security for the loan.
Her first loan was 200,000 payable in 6 months she was able to buy more stationery to expand her business.
She testifies that the status of her business greatly improved, she was able to realize profits because she had a ready market of Kyamakanda technical institute.
She was able to pay off the loan with ease and also meet her family needs.
She was able to solve school fees problem, 8 children are now able to go to school, the eldest is Senior 5, 2 are in Primary 7, 2 in Primary 5, 2 in Primary 3, and a grandson who is in nursery school.
Her second loan was 200,000,she preferred to ask for small amounts, which she’s able to pay with ease and also sustain her business.
She bought some goats, and injected some in the business.
She was able to pay it back and got another loan of 500,000, which he has paid 3 installments so far.
“There is nothing good as being a widow and looking the way I am looking”(her physical appearance belies a troubled widow) says Mbabazi Aida.
I used to approach institutions for small loans but would be rejected because I was a poor widow with a small business and no security.
I give credit to UGAFODE staff, which accepted me the way I was and met my business needs.
Mbabazi is also a farmer, although she doesn’t have enough land of her own, she has been able to hire land for cultivation and has been able to get food for her children and sell the surplus.
Agriculture is one of Mbabazi’s additional incomes, she promises to work hard and remain faithful by paying back so that she gains confidence of getting a bigger loan for her business.
Her future plan is to see her children get educated, and also expand her business, 3 of her children are now independent, one has finished college, and 2 others are in a technical school and are soon finishing.
With support from compassion and UGAFODE LTD, Mbabazi is encouraged she will make it, her health has greatly improved as well as her faith.