Suzan Amude is a mother to three children (ages 10, 6, and 2) and a South Sudanese refugee. After fleeing South Sudan in 2017, she was working to rebuild her life in the Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement. To better provide for her family, she joined Unity Seed Effect group in March 2022.

In June 2022, just three months after starting her first savings cycle, Suzan shared,

“Before I was in the group, our family was in darkness. But after joining Seed Effect, the light of God has shined upon my family. Things have changed. I am seeing the love of God upon my family. We used not to pray, but after joining Seed Effect because of the encouragement to share the word and pray for one another. As a family, we have started praying. It has become our culture in our family. Every night we pray together as a family and when we miss, we feel it.”

Then, she shared what her finances were like before Seed Effect, 

“Before I joined Seed Effect, I did not have any business here, but after joining, I was able to start a business. I was able to take a loan from the group and buy a sewing machine. I am using it to make clothes and can get more money for saving and for the family. I have also been able to invest in my farm. Every week I save 10,000 UGX. By the end of this year, I will be able to take my children to a better school in Arua, not just the one here in the refugee settlement. This is because of my group and the investments I’m making in my business and farm.”

Suzan continued sharing how people in the community see that she is living a different life.

“My relationship with others has improved greatly because of what we have learned about the 4 key relationships. I have learned that I cannot be alone in this world. I need other people. I am very happy because I used to be alone without any happiness and with many quarrels with my husband. But now because of this group, I am comforted. I am growing both physically and spiritually. I am praying that Seed Effect expands to other areas so that other people will realize the same impact I have seen in my life.”

After completing her first year of saving and celebrating the share out, Suzan shared an update, and was elated to share that she had reached her goals!

“Seed Effect has helped me so much. Now, as my business has grown I have been able to reach my goal of sending my daughter to Hoima to study in a better school. I no longer feed on beans only, but can feed my family fish and chicken.” 

Suzan with her Seed Effect Group “Unity”.

The group recently celebrated their first share out at the end of our cycle, and Suzan was very happy. She saved 300,000 shillings! She used part of it to pay school fees and the other part for improving her home to replace the grass roof that had worn out. She expressed gratitude for all of this saying:

“I want to thank God for Seed Effect. At first, even though I used to be a church goer, I didn’t know the word of God, but now I have learned a lot about the word of God through the Bible studies, and I am able to have access to money. When there is need, I can come to the group, and they help me so much.”

Thank you for empowering members like Suzan to provide for their families with dignity!