Vision: “to have a society in which all children lead a full life” UWESO: Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans Presented by: Blake Bogese Franky Chung Pat McKeegan Maddy Picker Joanna Ronquillo April 23, 2008

Today’s Topics Overview of the situation in Uganda Strategy based on sustainable improvements UWESO's value chain relies on volunteers Why is UWESO better? UWESO's history of progress stands out

Root Causes of Poverty Violence in the North Spread of HIV/AIDS Reliance on subsistence farming Lack of health and education Corruption

Where is Uganda?

Violence in the North- the LRA

UWESO’s Strategy Improve welfare of orphans in sustainable approach

UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme (USCS) – Financial Initiatives 1 1 x 5 5 x 10 Savings USCS Individual (1) Group (5) Cluster (50) Deposit Repayment of 1,000 shillings per individual with 3% going to an emergency fund Individual Loans of $20-$500 and education on personal finances

UWESO NGO – Social Initiatives Education – Primary school – Vocational training Food Security Health

Communication Strategy ABC Africa Relationship with NGOs Statistical reports

Suppliers Belgian Survival Fund (BSF) provided initial funding for UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme. UNICEF, USAID, and UK UWESO Trust regular donors. IFAD provides microfinance support and expertise. UWESO 5 branch offices staffed by 40 full time employees Network of 10,000 women volunteers UWESO Consulting brings in additional revenue Split off UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme (USCS). Clients Over 10,000 loans distributed to USCS clients. Organization has helped hundreds of thousands of orphans UWESO’S Value Chain Enables Unique Approach

Political Connections Benefit UWESO First Lady Janet Museveni, started UWESO in 1986 UWESO overseen by Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development

Suppliers Belgian Survival Fund (BSF) provided initial funding for UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme. UNICEF, USAID, and UK UWESO Trust regular donors. IFAD provides microfinance support and expertise. UWESO 5 branch offices staffed by 40 full time employees Network of 10,000 women volunteers UWESO Consulting brings in additional revenue Split off UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme (USCS). Clients Over 10,000 loans distributed to USCS clients. Organization has helped hundreds of thousands of orphans. UWESO’S Value Chain Enables Unique Approach

Comparing the Strategies of UWESO and the USCS UWESO NGOUSCS General Methods:Targets root causes of poverty. Seeks to permanently improve quality of life for women and orphans. Want savings and loan facility self- sustainable after 2-3 years of involvement. Donations used as starter loans. Key Stakeholder Relationships Primary beneficiaries: Programs benefit women and orphans. Payment not required. Priced to break-even. 97% of loan recipients women. Capital sources:Governments. Large NGOs like USAID and UNICEF. Belgian Survival Fund (BSF) Work force:Teams up with other NGOs. Small core staff supported by network of volunteers. IFAD advisors. Small full-time staff. Large group of knowledgeable volunteers. Suppliers:In-kind donationsCharge market interest rates on loans. Substantial base donation from BSF. GovernanceMission-constrained Leadership overlaps with other NGOs and government. IFAD oversight. Community level fiduciary responsibility. Based on Gregory Dees’s Social Enterprise Spectrum

Suppliers Belgian Survival Fund (BSF) provided initial funding for UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme. UNICEF, USAID, and UK UWESO Trust regular donors. IFAD provides microfinance support and expertise. UWESO 5 branch offices staffed by 40 full time employees Network of 10,000 women volunteers UWESO Consulting brings in additional revenue Split off UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme (USCS) in Clients Over 10,000 loans distributed to USCS clients. Organization has helped hundreds of thousands of orphans. UWESO’S Value Chain Enables Unique Approach

Why is UWESO better?

The Traditional Microfinance Industry Government Donors MFIs Clients Universities Consultants Investment Funds Private Investors Foundations Commercial Banks Source: Information provided by Unitus Microfinance support networks

Where does USCS fit into the Traditional Microfinance Industry? Ugandan and Western Governments Clients 811 Village Groups 17,014 members Consultants Investment Funds UK UWESO Trust Foundations BSF USAID UNICEF Source: Information provided by us Microfinance Support IFAD USCS

Relationship between the USCS and UWESO UWESO Savings and Credit Scheme (USCS) Microcredit loans ($20- $500) and Health, Financial, HIV, Information Interest and loan repayments, savings accounts Village Groups (5 people per group) UWESO Educational and Vocational Training Programs Self-sustaining women become local volunteers Consulting Revenues Volunteers and Health, Financial, HIV, Information

Benedete Nakayima The story of a 70 year old widow caring for 35 orphans

UWESO’s diverse programs alleviate poverty across all aspects Tuition aid has let 2000 children receive primary education. 95% of adolescent orphans who finish vocational training are employed and are self-supporting. $50 dollar loans have turned into $1000 businesses for many.

SWOT Analysis Shows Room for Improvement STRENGTHS Educational and Vocational Training Programs Volunteer Network Savings element of microfinance program Direct relationship with the government WEAKNESSES Transparency of metrics and financial data Lack of standardization in practices High interest rates make programs unattractive to chronic poor OPPORTUNTIES Use USCS to generate more consulting revenues Spread organization to other countries Reach out to private donors to increase funding base Capitalize on ceasefire to further initiatives in Northern Uganda THREATS Ties to Museveni may hurt UWESO if government shifts. Countrywide shocks could crush USCS infrastructure. Renewal of violence in Uganda could undermine efforts.

Conclusion