Women’s groups in our Family Support Project receive grants from Busega Scotland in three instalments. These occur on the recommendation of our supervisor, Julieth Godwin, who works closely with the groups for a year. If all goes well the women then ‘fly’ themselves. They become independent and we withdraw. The final stage is to obtain Community-based Organisation status from their local authority. As registered groups, they become eligible for support such as training and government loans.

Kisundi became a CBO in July and will receive their final payment of £185 in September. The growth in their vicoba (group bank) is typical of what our groups achieve (we have facilitated twelve). Up to now Busega Scotland has donated £678 to Kisundi and the thirty-three women have added £736 through business loan interest payments and savings. The vicoba is a simple concept. The seed corn capital gives the women a chance to help themselves.