{"id":2857,"date":"2025-01-07T14:08:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T14:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communityfocusinternational.org\/?p=2857"},"modified":"2025-01-07T14:14:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T14:14:55","slug":"vsla-developing-village-groups-empowering-pwds-through-financial-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communityfocusinternational.org\/vsla-developing-village-groups-empowering-pwds-through-financial-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"VSLA DEVELOPING VILLAGE GROUPS: Empowering PWDs through Financial Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"nfd-container nfd-p-md nfd-theme-white nfd-bg-surface nfd-wb-blog__blog-4 is-style-nfd-theme-white wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"nfd-gap-xl nfd-gap-y-2xl wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<div class=\"nfd-query-loop-2 wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-2962 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-assistive-technology-devises\"><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Oyam<\/strong>&nbsp;&#8211; In Uganda&#8217;s Oyam District, a transformative program aimed at improving financial inclusion and empowering rural communities is gaining momentum. The Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model is creating opportunities for economic growth, reducing poverty, and fostering self-reliance among local groups. VSLAs are helping empower marginalized communities by providing access to savings, credit, and financial education in areas where formal banking services are scarce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">On 13<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0December 2024,\u00a0<strong>Community Focus International (CFI)<\/strong>\u00a0team conducted a monitoring visit to four Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) groups in Oyam District including; Atek Ilwak in Amukugu parish, Ogwalo Note in Pii Yic parish, Par Pi Diki (Wanglobo parish and Obanga Twero in Bario parish. These VSLAs are inclusive groups formed by CFI specifically for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In recent years, CFI has been instrumental in setting up these groups to create opportunities for PWDs to overcome economic barriers. The support from CFI, including revolving funds and knowledge sharing, helps these individuals to become financially independent and active participants in their communities. The groups meet on a weekly basis, and this report provides an overview of their activities, savings progress, and the impact of the financial assistance provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The total savings across the four groups reflect strong financial growth for the year 2024, with notable amounts saved in each group. These savings are critical for the groups&#8217; financial sustainability and provide a significant foundation for future borrowing and lending activities for all the groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In the year 2024, all the four groups demonstrated strong participation with an average attendance rate of 75%, which reflects the commitment of members to the group activities. Notably, Par Pi Diki and Obanga Twero groups achieved a higher attendance rate of 85%, showcasing greater member engagement in these locations and also when critically observed these two groups have the highest rate of saving compared to other groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Successfully, the groups have managed their revolving funds, with none of the groups reporting any defaulters, an aspect seen to maintain trust, and financial discipline within the different groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Despite the milestone, there is a need to embrace digital channels of handling and keeping record for future references and proper accountability while recommending continued monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the groups. Additionally, regular training on financial management and leadership are further required to boost the strength and existence of the groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">In conclusion, with active participation across all the group members and significant progress in savings accumulation. The support provided by CFI, through revolving funds, has helped boost the groups&#8217; borrowing while the absence of defaulters in all groups is a clear indicator of the success of the financial management strategies employed by the members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">These VSLAs are not just about saving and borrowing, they are a vital resource for members to improve their lives and the lives of their families. The ability to repair mobility devices ensures greater independence, while the funds for sending children to school help create a brighter future for the next generation. Furthermore, the ability to access loans for food and other needs directly contributes to better health and well-being for these families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong><em>What you need to know<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Atek Ilwak VSLA<\/strong> &#8211; Location:\u00a0Amukugu Parish &#8211; Number of Members:\u00a050<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Ogwalo Note VSLA<\/strong> &#8211; Location:\u00a0Pii Yic Parish &#8211; Number of Members:\u00a027<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Par Pi Diki VSLA<\/strong> &#8211; Location:\u00a0Wanlobo Parish &#8211; Number of Members:\u00a030<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Obanga Twero VSLA<\/strong> &#8211; Location:\u00a0Bario Parish &#8211; Number of Members:\u00a022<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">THE END<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oyam&nbsp;&#8211; In Uganda&#8217;s Oyam District, a transformative program aimed at improving financial inclusion and empowering rural communities is gaining momentum. The Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model is creating opportunities for economic growth, reducing poverty, and fostering self-reliance among local groups. VSLAs are helping empower marginalized communities by providing access to savings, credit, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","content-type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[25,26,24,23],"class_list":["post-2857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vsla","tag-cfi","tag-empowerment","tag-oyam","tag-vsla"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>VSLA DEVELOPING VILLAGE GROUPS: Empowering PWDs through Financial Inclusion - Community Focus International<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/communityfocusinternational.org\/vsla-developing-village-groups-empowering-pwds-through-financial-inclusion\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"VSLA DEVELOPING VILLAGE GROUPS: Empowering PWDs through Financial Inclusion - Community Focus International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Oyam&nbsp;&#8211; In Uganda&#8217;s Oyam District, a transformative program aimed at improving financial inclusion and empowering rural communities is gaining momentum. 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