What happens to the people who partner with ISEE in the Mama Nguvu program? What happens to the donations that you send in to us?

Here’s an update on the 2014 recipients:

Jennifer Bamulekye is experiencing great success in her catering business. Her kids are in school and all fees have been paid. In addition, thanks to the contribution of ISEE she has been able to make enough profit to buy a second-hand fridge as well as hire a delivery boy.

Saidat Rashida was sick with malaria during the New Year holiday but is now back at work selling tea. Her location is under constant threat of eviction from KCCA and so she is contemplating moving and/or switching business models. Her children’s school fees have been paid.

Margaret Nakalema has experienced slow business making uniforms but hopes to see an increase in the New Year.  Her family is doing well. Her children are in school.

Rovence Nakanwagi has experienced great success with her catering business. ISEE provided her with a fridge and this has allowed her to expand to the point where she now has large contracts with outside organizations (including a local hospital). She has re-invested some of her profits into tools for her business and pays her rent and children’s school fees from her profits. She has become so successful that she is now running out of space!

Lorna Kalenda has experienced some health-related slowdowns this year but already has larger contracts lined up for 2015. The profit she has made from her sweater-making machine has enabled her to feed her family, pay school fees and provide medicine when needed.

Francois Laku’s millet beer business was bulldozed by KCCA and, coupled with the rising cost of raw materials, has forced her to re-strategize her business model. She has since ventured into fish, fried cassava and Ugandan pancakes (Kabalagala). Her health has been an issue as well but she is able to afford medication now. Her children are in school and doing well.

Martha Achayo’s fish business is successful but sometimes slow. She has been able to generate enough income to provide for herself, pay for her children’s school fees and school requirements and address her health concerns.

Irene Lamaro’s hairdressing salon has been a success. She now employs a helper. She plans to extend into selling beverages in order to make more money. Her profits have enabled her to pay school fees and feed her family.

Prossy Lumbuye has extended her pigpen and chicken coop areas. Sales of the pigs and chickens have provided significant income and enabled her to pay school fees and provide food and medicine for her family and livestock. She is also experiencing some seasonal slow-downs.

Donor’s contributions have enabled all our 2014 Mama Nguvu recipients to pay school fees, buy food, provide shelter and generate more income. In some cases the gains may be modest, but nonetheless we have documented reports of gains from all the women we surveyed.

One common comment from the Mamas was that this past year has been slower than usual. We in the West think that we are the only ones impacted by global market forces but of course this is untrue.

We also hear lots of comments like these:

• “She is grateful with what ISEE has been able to help her with throughout the year…”
• “She is very thankful of the support from ISEE…”
• “She has been able to buy food/medicine/school fees, thanks to the income generated because of ISEE’s work…”

These comments, and the conditions that birthed them, are directly related to you, our donors. Without you and without your help we simply could not impact the lives of the Mamas.

This is important work and we could not do it without your generous support.

Thank you!

Thanks to Andrew Echel for the data and photos for this post!