Zakia, a member of Never Be Alone Saving for Life Seed Effect Group in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement is a wife and mother of four children. Before she joined Seed Effect she shared that it was difficult for her to feed her family, pay school fees, and keep her home in working condition. 

After joining Seed Effect, Zakia received business training and livelihood skills through the Chalmers Center’s Plan for A Better Business curriculum. After completing the training, she dreamt of opening a small-scale retail business. She took a loan of 500,000 Ugandan shillings from her group, and started a new business selling tomatoes, onions, and rice. 

Zakia realized a profit after just three months and was able to buy a goat to continue her business ventures and invest in assets. Today, this has multiplied and she now has four goats.

Zakia continues to invest in her small business which has enabled her to support her four children and put them in school. Her business has grown so much that she and her husband are currently constructing a small house for their family! 

“I and my family thank Seed Effect Uganda for empowering us.” – Zakia

Seed Effect has partnered with the Chalmers Center to provide Plan for a Better Business training for all second cycle members. To date, in 2023, 95 Seed Effect groups, approximately 2,375 Seed Effect members, like Zakia, have received this training.