03 Jul
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Communal Gardening

How Benadate Nyabenda Turned Her Life Around Through Savings and Training.

In the heart of Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, a powerful story of transformation, resilience, and economic empowerment is unfolding. Benadate Nyabenda a refugee, chairperson of the Mucho Savings Group, and a proud mother has redefined her future through the power of savings, training, and community support. Her journey, made possible through programs by Shared Action Africa, is a testament to how dedication and opportunity can change lives.

Nyabenda is more than just a member of the settlement, she is a leader and an entrepreneur. Her journey began when she joined the Mucho Savings Group, established under the initiative of Shared Action Africa, an organization committed to empowering women and vulnerable communities through financial literacy and entrepreneurship training.

“Shared Action Africa changed my life. Through their training under the Savings Groups program, I learned how to save, borrow wisely, and invest in sustainable projects. I was also taught to practice modern agriculture, including maize and bean planting I even have a store for my produce. Additionally, I rear animals such as pigs, goats, and cows, and I specialize in poultry farming, raising chickens for both meat and eggs at a zero-grazing farm. Shared Action Africa provided us with plates for collecting money, books for recording our savings, and savings boxes for keeping our money safe. They found us in a very difficult situation we didn’t even know what savings groups were. They gave us some capital for the group, which we could borrow and return. Today, thanks to their continuous training, we have become experts,” she shares with a smile.

Before joining the group, Nyabenda, like many women in the settlement, struggled with unstable income and limited financial knowledge. But the training she received equipped her with vital skills in savings, budgeting, and investment. With just UGX 1,000 as her starting capital, she laid the foundation for what would become a thriving livelihood.

The Mucho Savings Group quickly became her financial anchor. Through it, she was able to save and access loans, which she invested in agriculture. She started by planting maize, taking advantage of the fertile soils in Isingiro District. As her harvests improved, so did her ventures. She now processes and sells maize flour, and supplies maize seeds to both farmers and traders for food processing. Her agricultural efforts have grown into a key source of income and stability.

But Nyabenda didn’t stop there. With increased confidence and ongoing support from Shared Action Africa, she expanded into animal husbandry. Today, she rears goats, pigs, hens, and cows. Through training in animal care and farm management, she established paddocks to ensure her animals remain healthy and productive. The livestock not only ensures food security for her family but also provides a consistent income stream, enabling her to pay school fees, cover household expenses, and continue saving.

“I never imagined I would one day own a zero-grazing farm, rear animals, and even run a retail shop. Shared Action Africa taught me to believe in the power of savings and hard work. I am now able to save UGX 600,000 every month after all my expenses. That is something I never thought possible as a refugee,” she says.

One of her proudest achievements is her retail shop in Nakivale Settlement. After working on her farm during the day, she manages the shop, which also functions as her business office. From being financially insecure to overseeing multiple income-generating ventures, Nyabenda’s story is nothing short of inspirational.

Her journey represents more than personal success it highlights the power of community-led development and the transformative impact of empowering women. Nyabenda now serves as a role model in the refugee community, encouraging others to take charge of their futures.

“To my fellow refugees, especially the women who are still unsure, I tell them: don’t wait. Join a savings group. Believe in yourself. I started with just UGX 1,000 and look at me now. You don’t need a big capital; you need the courage to start,” she advises.

Nyabenda Thanks Shared Action Africa. “I no longer see myself as just a refugee. I am a businesswoman, a provider, and a leader. They have helped me move beyond the pain of displacement and focus on the possibilities ahead,” she adds.

Nyabenda’s story illustrates the transformative power of financial inclusion and grassroots support systems. Through her leadership in the Mucho Savings Group, she continues to inspire other women in Nakivale to dream bigger, save consistently, and invest wisely.

Shared Action Africa plays a vital role in reshaping the narrative of refugees not as passive victims, but as active contributors to local economies. By investing in community-based initiatives like savings groups and entrepreneurship training, they pave the way for self-reliance and sustainable development.

“Savings are the seeds of dreams. I planted mine with UGX 1,000, and today, I harvest a future I never thought I could have,” says Nyabenda.

Nyabenda shared her future plans: “We want to start a group business that will provide emergency funds for members, so that anyone in need can access money, when necessary,” she said.

Her message is simple but powerful: Start small, believe in yourself, and stay committed because every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to a brighter tomorrow, “she said.

03 Jul
Climate Justice, Economic Empowerment

Communal Gardening

Shared Action Africa Helped Us Escape Poverty Through Farming and Savings – Ainembabazi Janet

Meet Ainembabazi Janet, a proud member of the Umoja Ni Nguvu Group and a refugee in Nakivale Settlement, Isingiro District. With the support of Shared Action Africa, she discovered the power of saving and investing—especially for women. This empowerment enabled her to transition from poverty to development.

She embraced a culture of saving and invested in agriculture, particularly tomato farming. Today, she has a thriving tomato garden expected to earn over UGX 6 million. By applying the knowledge and skills gained from Shared Action Africa, Janet and her group members now produce high-quality crops and use proper post-harvest handling techniques, including appropriate storage and harvesting methods, to maintain quality.

“My name is Ainembabazi Janet, and I am a member of Umoja Ni Nguvu Group. We sincerely appreciate Shared Action Africa for its tremendous support. Through its programs, we have learned how to save as women. Shared Action Africa opened our eyes to the possibility of moving from poverty to development. We adopted the culture of saving and invested our savings in agriculture. Today, we specialize in tomato growing, and we are proud to say that we have a healthy, beautiful tomato garden that promises us a good income after harvesting. By following the advice and applying the skills we were taught by Shared Action Africa, we are now able to produce quality products. From our current garden, we expect to earn over UGX 6 million after the harvest. We are committed to applying the post-harvest handling skills we learned, including proper storage and harvesting techniques, to maintain the quality of our produce. All the knowledge, skills, and progress we have achieved are thanks to Shared Action Africa. Through its savings groups and climate resilience programs, we have realized significant improvements in our lives, breaking free from the grip of poverty. I see a great change in my life and that of my family, we are now part of a successful business. Shared Action Africa empowered us women to realize that we, too, can develop ourselves without depending on our husbands. Using money from our savings group, we hire land, grow cash crops, and after harvesting, we divide the income among ourselves. This enables us to solve family issues like paying school fees and providing basic needs for our children. The remaining money is used to buy animals such as cows and goats, which serve as assets for the future. These animals are kept under zero grazing, and as they reproduce, we continue to sell and earn more income. We truly appreciate Shared Action Africa for empowering women and showing us our value through its development programs. It united us for a common goal — growth and self-reliance. We are now over 50 women in this group, all of whom are trained, skilled, and engaged in agriculture. We even maintain kitchen gardens, and the organization continuously supports us. Whenever we need anything for our farms, we reach out and receive support promptly. Currently, our major challenge is water. Our garden is very large, but we do not have a generator to pump water. Water scarcity is a big issue in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. The generator we are currently using is hired and costly, both in terms of rental and transport. We also lack pesticides to spray our crops. However, we have already informed the Shared Action Africa team, and we are confident they will support us soon. We are proud, modern, and empowered women of this new generation, thanks to Shared Action Africa. We have even expanded to growing cabbages, and we already have a market. Traders from nearby towns like Isingiro and Mbarara come directly to our garden to buy our cabbages, and we make good money. Personally, I have greatly benefited from Shared Action Africa’s initiatives. I used my savings and income from agriculture to start a side business selling fish. Fish is a highly demanded food in the settlement and nearby towns like Mbarara and Isingiro. I have a stall in the settlement, and customers also come to my home for bulk purchases. This business earns me over UGX 600,000 per month. Shared Action Africa regularly checks on us, follows up on our progress, and continues to guide us along our development journey. I am now financially independent and can comfortably meet my needs. As a refugee, I no longer stress about money. At home, we never lack food. We now realize our value as women. We have learned that we are important members of society, and we can live meaningful lives — even without support from men,” Janet said.

10 Apr
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

The Impact of Family Planning on Kelemanzi Wiziyimana’s Life

Kelemanzi’s Choice to Use Family Planning Created a Brighter Future for Herself and Her Children.

As a single mother of three young children aged 6, 4, and 2. Kelemanzi Wiziyimana faced a unique set of challenges within the refugee settlement. Balancing the demands of motherhood with the responsibilities of running a small grocery business, her daily life was a constant juggling act. The burden of unplanned pregnancies threatened to derail her dreams and limit the future she envisioned for her children.

“I used to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future,” Kelemanzi recalls. “Every day was a struggle to make ends meet, and I worried about how I would give my children the life they deserve.”

Hope came from an unexpected source: the village health teams working under Shared Action Africa’s family planning project. When Kelemanzi was introduced to the concept of family planning, it marked the beginning of a life-changing journey. With the guidance and compassionate support of local healthcare providers, she made the informed decision to adopt the Jadelle implant method.

“This choice gave me a sense of control over my life for the first time in years,” she says. “I could finally plan my future and focus on what matters most my children.”

The impact of this decision rippled through every part of her life. With her children spaced out more effectively, Kelemanzi was able to distribute her time, energy, and resources more equitably. This balance enabled her to keep her grocery business running and ensure her older children could attend school something she once thought was out of reach.

“Before, I was just surviving. Now, I’m building a future,” she says proudly.

The Jadelle implant empowered her to take charge of her reproductive health, and as her confidence grew, so did her passion for family planning advocacy. Inspired by her own transformation, she began encouraging other women in the settlement to explore their options and make informed decisions about their own reproductive choices.

“Many women are afraid or misinformed,” Kelemanzi explains. “When they see my story, they realize they’re not alone and that they have choices.”

Her resilience and perseverance have made her a source of inspiration in her community. Kelemanzi’s personal journey has become a powerful example of how knowledge and access to healthcare can shift the course of a person’s life. Her influence reaches far beyond the walls of her small shop, spreading awareness and hope.

Through her determination and the support of Shared Action Africa’s family planning program, Kelemanzi has proven that single mothers have the power to shape their destinies and create better lives for their families. Her story is a testament to the strength of women who refuse to be defined by hardship.

“Family planning changed everything for me,” she says. “Now, I can dream again—not just for myself, but for my children.”

Today, Kelemanzi’s journey stands as a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and the transformative power of choice. Her story continues to inspire others, showing that with the right support and information, even the most difficult circumstances can be turned into opportunities for growth and change.

08 Apr
Sexual And Reproductive Health & Rights

Jane Uwase’s Journey to Family Peace and Well-Being Through the Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Program of Shared Action Africa.

Jane Uwase , a refugee woman living in Nakivale Refugee settlement, speaks from the depths of her heart with immense gratitude, sincerely appreciating Shared Action Africa for transforming her family’s lifestyle. Uwase stated that the organization has played a crucial role in her journey as a mother, having conceived at the early age of 16.

She expressed that Shared Action Africa educates both women and men on how to create awareness on sexual and reproductive health, the importance of counseling couples on SRHR and fostering peace and stability in a home.

“The father of my children and I used to have differences on use of family planning and this resulted in fights quite often. However, through counselling and guidance of health workers and peer educators who visited our home, we have changed for the better. Their support has restored happiness, peace, and unity in our family, benefiting both us and our children. The Shared Action Africa team listens to us individually and also allows us to share our challenges privately as mothers. The team pays close attention to our health and personal concerns, ensuring that every issue is addressed with care. Personally, I used to give birth at home. My firstborn, who is now six years old, was born under such conditions. However, after attending their training sessions and lessons, I chose to give birth in a hospital, where I safely delivered my second child, who is now three years old. They have taught me the importance of child spacing using modern contraception for better health. Through their support, we have learned how to protect ourselves from sexually transmitted infections, the importance of personal hygiene and rights women and girls to access sexual and reproductive health services including family planning. We now have access to family planning services with fear of stigmatization from our peers and ourselves. Additionally, we receive mental health and psycho-socio support through counselling. We are given privacy and feel free to speak with health workers whenever we need to. They are always friendly and supportive of all of us especially the young mothers,” Jane said.

19 Mar
Economic Empowerment

Transforming Lives Through Agriculture and Savings

Bernadette Nyabenda Advancing Livelihoods Through Agriculture and Savings

Bernadette Nyabenda expresses her deep appreciation for the work of Shared Action Africa in empowering women through financial literacy and agricultural training. Through their support, women in her community have gained valuable skills in savings and modern farming techniques, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and food security.

“We appreciate Shared Action Africa for teaching us, women, how to save and develop ourselves. With the knowledge we acquired, we started saving, and once we completed one savings cycle, we moved on to another. This practice has significantly improved our financial stability and enabled us to invest in better farming methods,” Bernadette shares.

One of the key agricultural lessons imparted by Shared Action Africa was the proper planting of crops such as maize and beans using line spacing techniques. This method has greatly improved the quality and quantity of their harvests. The women also learned how to cultivate kitchen gardens, which provide them with a steady supply of fresh vegetables. These gardens are strategically designed to grow multiple types of crops in different sections, ensuring food security and better nutrition for their families.

“Our kitchen gardens are of high quality, and we now have access to vegetables without any difficulties. The ability to grow various crops in different garden sections has enhanced our nutrition and overall well-being,” Bernadette explains.

Beyond planting techniques, SAA trained the women in post-harvest handling, a crucial aspect of sustainable farming. They learned how to differentiate and properly store seeds by sorting dried seeds from undried ones. This practice ensures the longevity and quality of their seeds, preparing them for future planting seasons.

Additionally, they were taught innovative and cost-effective methods of seed preservation. Using polythene bags and improved granary storage techniques, they can now protect their harvests from spoilage and pest infestations. These skills have minimized post-harvest losses, ensuring they have enough food and seeds for the next planting cycle.

“Thanks to Shared Action Africa, we now have the knowledge to properly store our seeds and preserve our harvests. This has helped us reduce waste and maintain food security in our households,” Bernadette adds.

Through these initiatives, SAA continues to transform the lives of Refugees women farmers, making them more self-reliant and economically empowered. The training has not only improved agricultural productivity but also fostered financial independence, strengthening the resilience of the community.

19 Mar
Economic Empowerment

The Making Of Compost Manure Has Benefited Women Farmers

Basasa Vangelina’s Journey to Sustainable Agriculture in Nakivale settlement.

In the refugee communities of Nakivale Settlement, access to agricultural resources remains a significant challenge for many women farmers. Basasa Vangelina, a dedicated farmer, shares how Shared Action Africa has empowered her with skills in manure-production and application and sustainable farming. Despite challenges with irrigation and pest control, she remains determined to improve food security and generate income for her family through farming.

“My name is Basasa Vangelina. I thank Shared Action Africa for teaching us how to make our own liquid and compost manure. SAA came and mobilized us in our savings and business group as local women farmers who were struggling because our gardens lacked the fertility needed for crops to grow well. Through training, we were taught on how to dig three pit holes for compost manure production.  In the first pit, we place our organic waste for decomposition. After three weeks, we then move the decomposing matter to the second pit for two weeks. In the third and final pit, the organic matter stays for one week while decomposing. After that, we collect it and apply it to our gardens. This replenishes soil with nutrients and helps our crops grow strong and healthy,” Nibasasa said.

Vangelina has several gardens where she practices agriculture by planting a variety of crops. She has been trained by Shared Action Africa o look as a griculture not only as a way of reducing food insecurity at home but also as an income-generating activity.

“We take pride in carrying out agriculture as a group. As tomato growers, we have gained a lot although we are still challenged by the harsh weather conditions and because of this, we have to continuously collect water from the lake using the watering cans provided by SAA to irrigate our gardens  we hope that in the near future, we shall buy a water pump such that we can pump water from the lake to water the vegetable gardens and also rent out our pump to other groups and earn an income.,” said Vangelina.

 

19 Mar
Economic Empowerment

How Agricultural Training Transformed Nyiranziza’s Life in Nakivale

I Can Now Plant Seeds Appropriately – Nyiranziza Said.

In Nakivale Settlement in Isingiro district, women farmers are transforming their lives through post harvesting agricultural training provided by Shared Action Africa under the Economic Development and Climate Resilience program. Nyiranziza Francine, the leader of Twisungane savings and business group in Nyakagando, praises SAA for equipping women with skills in modern farming techniques, climate resilience, and economic empowerment. Through these trainings, Francine has improved her farming practices, increased her income, and enhanced food security for her family. She highlights the importance of seed preservation, kitchen gardening, and development strategies learned from the program. With these new skills, women in the community are becoming self-reliant and ensuring better nutrition for their children.

“I appreciate Shared Action Africa for the work they are doing in my community. SAA came and trained us, as women organized in a SBG, and taught us development strategies. Shared Action Africa taught us on proper planting techniques, and later came back and trained us on how to harvest our crops and dry them properly. We also learned how to store our seeds safely to prevent weevil attacks using cost effective methods. We appreciate them for the progress they have helped us achieve over the period of time that we have been working them. We also learned how to grow crops on keyhole and kitchen gardens, which allow us to grow and eat vegetables all year round and provide nutritious food for our children. As a result, our children remain healthy and are not at risk of catching diseases associated to malnutrition like kwashiorkor. I appreciate the Shared Action Africa team for the work they are doing to transform the lives of the refugee women through agriculture and their willingness to share more knowledge with us so we can improve our livelihoods,” Francine said.

 

18 Mar
Economic Empowerment

Post-Harvest Training and Techniques

Shared Action Africa Empowering Refugee Women Farmers in Nakivale Settlement where Harvesting and post harvesting Training Transformed Esperance’s Harvest Preservation.

In Nakivale Settlement, refugee women farmers are gaining vital skills to protect their harvests, and they have expressed their appreciation for Shared Action Africa. Through specialized training, women like Mujareshema Esperance have learned effective harvesting and post-harvesting techniques to prevent yield losses caused by weevils and spoilage.

Previously, Esperance struggled to store her beans and maize, often losing a substantial portion of the same before finding buyers. However, with new knowledge on proper drying, granary use, and storage methods, she is now confident in preserving her produce and increasing her profits. This initiative is transforming post harvest handling practices among refugee women, empowering them to achieve food security and financial stability.

“I am from Nyakagando B and a member of Umoja savings group. I used to lose my harvest to weevils, which would attack the seeds and spoil them before I could find a buyer. As a result, all my efforts would go to waste. However, I have now acquired skills on how to protect my seeds from weevil attacks,” Mukashema said.

Esperance expressed her gratitude to Shared Action Africa for the training provided on post-harvesting agriculture techniques, where she acquired valuable skills.

“We have learned how to store our agricultural products without them getting damaged. I have been practicing agriculture for a long time, but I was not making much profits. I would harvest my beans and maize, store them, and within a few days, weevils would attack the yields, hence causing loses. Sometimes, the seeds would even rot during storage. Shared Action Africa has trained us on the use of granaries, how to properly dry the hearvested crops using taurplins, and ensure they are well dried before storage. We have also learned how to use bags with polyethylene lining, which prevents weevil infestations. Additionally, we were taught to use pallets to store our bags, protecting the seeds from rotting. I am confident that this time, I will profit from my beans and maize because I am going to follow the recommended techniques and apply the knowledge acquired from the training,” said Esperance.

 

18 Mar
Economic Empowerment

Promoting Economic Development and Climate Resilience

Nzayisenga Faida’s Journey with Shared Action Africa 

Nzayisenga Faida, a member of Tafuta Savings and Business Group located in Nyakagando A, has transformed her life through Economic Development trainings by Shared Action Africa. Once struggling with high costs of vegetable, she now grows her own vegetables at home, ensuring food security and saving on household food expenditure. The trainings conducted by Shared Action Africa equipped her with essential skills on climate smart agriculture as well as harvesting and post-harvesting handling techniques including proper storage techniques.

“I am Nzayisenga Faida from Nyakagando A, a member of the Tafuta Savings and Business Group. I have no regrets getting involved in the agricultural initiatives organized by Shared Action Africa. Before the training, I used to buy vegetables at a high prices from the market for the sake of my children. However, after attending the training sessions, I learned how to grow my own vegetables on a keyhole garden, which now helps me feed my family and UGX 500,000. Shared Action Africa has helped us, as women in the savings and business group, to transform our lives. They taught us better farming methods, including to establish and maintain backyard gardens all year round, which provide us with a steady source of vegetables for our families. Since adopting these techniques, we have had no problems accessing nutritious food (vegetables). We also learned harvesting and  post-harvest handling techniques of our produce from the communal gardens, including how to safeguard our produce from pest and disease infestations during storage. Additionally, we were trained on proper seed storage, using well-protected sacks with polyethylene linings to prevent spoilage and the importance of proper drying of our harvest,” Faida said.

 

18 Mar
Economic Empowerment

Empowering Women through Agriculture

Leocardia Benefits from Economic Development and Climate Resilience

Shared Action Africa conducted a post-harvesting farming training session for the women of Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Nakagando Village. The training session aimed at equipping women with the skills to increase production, ultimately boosting their income.

Nyiratabaro Leocardia, a member of the Tupendane Savings and Business Group, shared how the training transformed their agricultural practices in seed sorting, drying methods, and improving quality of the yields. With newfound skills in farming techniques and financial management, the women are now empowered to increase their profits through sale of produce and support their families, while sharing their knowledge amongst themselves.

“After the training, we, as women in SBGs, gained the skills and knowledge to improve quality of our harvests straight from our gardens. The training on harvest and post-harvest handlinghas benefited us and will contribute to our development. Due to lack of knowledge, we used to make a lot of mistakes after harvesting which resulted in spoilage of our agricultural produce. As a result, we couldn’t earn much from sales made. Now that we have acquired harvest and post-harvest handling skills, we will put them into practice and improve our harvests. As women in Tupendane Savings and Business Group, we thank Shared Action Africa for training us and giving us this great opportunity to learn even more. Now, we are experts, and we will train other women who were not part of the training. I also thank Shared Action Africa for teaching us how to save, borrow and also encouraging us to have a  goal as to why one is saving. We can now save our money effectively and with a purpose. We are now able to support our families by buying necessities at home, assisting our husbands meet some needs thus reducing on our financial dependency as women, and also financially support our children’s needs. I also thank Shared Action Africa for teaching us how to grow food/vegetables on keyhole and kitchen gardens and providing us resources like improved seed and bricks to establish the same. The SAA team has gone ahead to train us how to practice farming techniques like bottle irrigation on the keyhole and kitchen gardens such that we are able to grow vegetables on our backyard gardens all year round. We have also learned how to sort our produce and improve quality, which will lead to generation of higher profits when sales are made. Thank you Shared Action Africa,” said Leocardia.

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