In the quiet Western Uganda village of Kyamujogo, situated in Kikuube District resides Margret Asiimwe, a woman whose journey is proof of tenacity and fortitude. For four decades, Margret and her husband Vanace Irumba tilled the land, and relied on seasonal cultivation of maize, potatoes, cassava and beansfor survival.
Their inadequate income from farming and occasional labour on other people's farms barely sustained their household. With limited resources, they watched helplessly as their children's education faltered and their dreams seemed unattainable.
“Our children dropped out of school primarily due to insufficient funds for their fees. Even when my husband and I decided to move them to government-aided schools which are relatively affordable, the nature of our job — hand to mouth — couldn’t keep them in school,” explains Margret.
Life threw an awful lot of curveballs their way — unsuccessful business ventures, poor nutrition, the loss of livestock from improper care, and the debilitating mental illness of their son. Sadness cast a shadow over their once hopeful spirits, and uncertainty loomed over their future.
We reared sheep, chicken, and pigs, but they all perished because we lacked the resources and the skills to take care of them. Later on, I tried my hand at a fish business, but it collapsed due to lack of market demand. We had one meal a day, depending on how much money or food was available. In addition, we couldn’t save because we had no source of income or knowledge to save, so we resorted to resuming unskilled labour that barely bore any fruit
Margret Asiimwe
Hope broke through the gloom when Margret and her household of 12 were enrolled in the IKEA Foundation-funded Sustainable Market Inclusive Livelihood Pathways to Self-Reliance (SMILES) project, implemented by AVSI Foundation. This marked the beginning of their path towards transformation. They participated in project activities including Farmer Field and Business School, Coaching, Village Savings and Loan Association, and business planning, from which they gained invaluable knowledge and skills.
Coaching sessions not only equipped them with understanding the importance of planning, sound decision-making, savings, and other practical skills but also instilled a newfound confidence in Margret and her husband.
"Our self-efficacy strengthened through coaching sessions; we gained knowledge on goal-setting and collaborative decision-making for our home. We are constantly reminded to support one another during the sessions; now my husband and I attend sessions together,” states Margret.
Through coaching, Margret’s household has employed the practice of handwashing through the establishment of a tippy tap, embraced the idea of a well-balanced diet while eating three times a day, and cultivated a variety of vegetables in their kitchen garden, such as ‘nakati’, eggplants, and ‘sukuma wiki’. These changes have increased their food supply, improved nutrition, and brought happiness to their household.
In addition to spending a portion of the monthly cash stipend for food on procuring more food for the family, the household opted to also save some money. "We saved UGX 170,000 (Euro 40) for six months," Margret confirms.
Empowered by the activities in her Village Saving and Loans Association, Margret and her husband adopted the culture of saving. Their existing savings, coupled with a loan of UGX 140,000 (Euro 35) from the savings group, helped them to start a fish-selling (salted fish and silver fish) business — a venture that holds promise for a brighter future.
“I have built a strong relationship with my fellow women as we share challenges and counsel each other. I am currently saving UGX 8,000 (Euro 2) per week with the hope of increasing to UGX 10,000 (Euro 3) — five shares, which is the maximum amount,” says Margret.
The impact of the SMILES project exceeded their expectations: household members now sleep under treated mosquito nets, all the children were enrolled back in school, money for basic needs is readily available, the household has gained social capital in the community, and the business generates at least UGX 10,000 (Euro 3) a day.
As their business thrives, Margret and Vanace have determined plans for the future. They envision expanding their enterprise to include a diverse range of produce, including maize, beans, groundnuts, rice, maize, and cassava flour, and establishing a shop in the nearby trading centre for better market access. The couple aspires to venture into piggery and expand their fish business.
Beyond business endeavours, Margret and Vanace dream of a better home—a brick-built house that symbolises their journey from adversity to fulfilment. With willpower and hard work, they aim to turn this into reality, relying on their agricultural yield.
Through determination and the support of the SMILES project, Margret Asiimwe has opened the door to a better everyday life.
About SMILES project
The Sustainable Market Inclusive Livelihood Pathways to Self-Reliance (SMILES) project is a five-year (November, 2022 – October, 2027) initiative funded by the IKEA Foundation. The project works with 14,000 households (extremely poor refugee and host community) comprising 70,000 individuals in Kyaka II and Kyangwali Refugee Settlements in Western Uganda with the aim of supporting them to become resilient.
The project delivers a graduation model integrated with a Market System Development approach targeting women and youth and their household members. Key sectors include livelihoods, agriculture, food security, protection, energy and environment. The project is implemented by AVSI Foundation in partnership with UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister and in a consortium with Innovations for Poverty Action, Renewable Energy, Powering Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods Enhancement (REPARLE), Makerere University Kampala, and DAI Global LLC.
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