Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT) is implementing a Health Education Agriculture Livelihood and Land rights (HEAL) project under a sub grant from CARE international from 2015 – 2017
The major aim of HEAL is livelihood improvement of the poor marginalized Batwa women and girls (aged 10-14 years) through socio economic empowerment. The major approach used in the project is Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) where communities are mobilized in groups, trained on VSLA methodology and they start saving with the aim of mobilizing local financial resources for development.
The VSLA methodology is to benefit both Batwa and non Batwa in groups to pool their own funds as savings, access loans for investing in micro projects for generating sustainable incomes at household level.
Project outcomes
- Establishment of IGA at household level: It is important to note that most group members have appreciated the benefits of VSLA. Most VSLA members rejoice because of the benefits they got from the funds they loaned from VSLA and started IGAs. They are proud to have started projects such as goats, sheep, chicken rearing, potato, cabbage and carrot growing and some bought scholastic materials for their children.
- The social integration: Discrimination among the Batwa and non-Batwa has reduced. During VSLA saving meetings both Batwa and non-Batwa sit together without discriminating one another. Batwa usually go to meetings when they have bathed and washed their clothes thus unable to be segregated as dirty people
- Batwa empowerment in decision making: Batwa are empowered to make decisions during VSLA meetings. The inclusion of Batwa on VSLA executive committees has empowered them to have self-esteem thus able to contribute in decisions making of group matters. 26 groups out of 40 included Batwa on executive committees
- Improved savings: Both the Batwa and the non-Batwa have developed a saving culture. Group members strive to save some money on a weekly basis (1-5 shares) unlike before the introduction of VSLA methodology where nobody bothered to save.
- Integration of Batwa families within the VSLA groups leads to recognition of Batwa leadership skills. 26 out of 40 groups elected Batwa on executive positions.
| NUMBER OF VSLA GROUPS FORMED
|
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN VSLA | NUMBER OF WOMEN INVOLVED IN THE VSLAS
|
NUMBER OF IGAS FORMED FROM VSLA
|
SAVINGS GENERATED DURING HEAL PROJECT
|
| 53 | 1037 | 882 | 40 | 63,053,300
|