Meet Betty

For years, Betty Poni struggled to meet even the most basic needs for her five children and three additional dependents in Imvepi Refugee Settlement, Uganda.

“It was hard for me to keep my children in school. I couldn’t feed my family twice a day, we ate once, and in the evening, we would go to sleep without food. Even buying sandals for my child or myself was a struggle.”

Borrowing from friends was difficult.

“Sometimes, when I thought about borrowing from a neighbor, it was difficult because they would ask what I would use to repay.”

But when Betty saw her neighbors participating in savings groups, she asked where they had received their training. The answer? Seed Effect.

She joined the Unity Savings Group in April 2022 and was welcomed with a passbook and training in saving and farming. She started saving seriously for the first time in her life.

“I saved well at that time because I had a budget. When we did the counting, I was surprised, I had saved a lot of money.”

From her savings and a series of loans totaling 850,000 UGX (~$236 USD), Betty opened a business.

“I started with just four basins of different goods, but now I have 21 basins of various items on my table. I sell beans, maize, salt, oil, millet, sorghum, cassava, and many other products. These are items people need, and when customers find them, they definitely buy.”

Her business has flourished, enabling her to cover school fees, purchase livestock, and even construct rental homes.

“The business has changed my life. Now I can pay my children’s school fees. We are also able to eat two or even three times a day. Another big change is with the rentals—I built these houses. We started with just two, and now we have expanded.”

Spiritually, her life has transformed as well.

“Back then, whenever I had nothing at home, I would go and drink alcohol. Even if the children were crying, I didn’t care. But after receiving teachings from Seed Effect, everything changed… All my children have given their lives to Christ, and my husband has too.”

Now, Betty leads evening devotions with her children and serves as the Chairperson of the Women’s Association of the Baptist Churches, overseeing eight churches. Her influence has expanded beyond her family to the entire community.

“I have learned that God is love, peace, and God reconciles and keeps us together. I have grown up spiritually. I can now share the word of God in the group and also preach the word of God in my church.”

 She continues to dream big and dares to pursue goals that once felt out of reach. 

“I hope to buy a motorcycle for myself and also open a big business store. In this situation, where the food rations have been cut off, saving is my only hope.”

Betty is not only a businesswoman and spiritual leader, but she’s also known as a mentor, peacemaker, and community supporter. When women in need wish to purchase items from her business, she offers them credit, interest-free, as a form of support.

Betty Poni’s story is a testimony to the power of faith, hard work, and community-based economic empowerment. A story that started with hunger and hardship now overflows with generosity, leadership, and hope.