In the small village of Diobe, Abuku Sub County, Koboko District, Zainab Aliru is more than just a mother and community member – she is a leader, a trailblazer, and a source of inspiration. Every day, she walks through her village with a quiet sense of pride, knowing that the choices she and her fellow community members have made are changing lives, one small step at a time. As the chairperson of a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) with 34 members attached to the Diobe Home Learning Center (HLC), Zainab has witnessed firsthand how the power of community, disciplined saving, and shared responsibility can transform a neighborhood.
The savings group began in 2019, initially as a modest idea: to bring people together to save money, support the HLC, and improve individual households. For Zainab, it was both practical and personal.
“When I joined the VSLA, I shared the idea with my husband, and we both decided to participate. We started saving small amounts of money we usually spent without thinking,” she recalls, her eyes lighting up as she remembers the early days.
At first, the savings seemed insignificant, almost symbolic. Yet, those small, consistent contributions soon began to add up, and the impact became tangible. With the money they saved, Zainab and her husband were able to build a home with iron sheets – a goal that had once felt impossibly distant.
“I remember the first time we laid the sheets on the roof. We looked at each other and laughed. We had dreamed of this for so long, but we never thought it could happen,” she says, a gentle smile crossing her face.
Beyond personal gains, the VSLA became a safety net for the family. During lean periods, when school fees for their children seemed impossible to gather, the group’s revolving fund provided timely loans, ensuring that education was never interrupted.
“Our friends saw what we were doing and were inspired to join. Now everyone in the group is enjoying the benefits,” Zainab adds, gesturing toward some of the women who are sorting through contributions under the shade of a tree nearby.
The group’s success is deeply rooted in guidance and support from Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE), which not only introduced the members to the principles of financial literacy and group savings but also provided practical tools to manage their resources effectively. Initially, LABE offered a revolving fund of UGX 500,000, with instructions that profits be split between supporting the group and assisting the parent educator at the HLC. Over time, LABE increased the fund by UGX 2 million, expanding the group’s capacity to borrow, invest in small micro-enterprises, and grow economically.
“LABE opened our eyes,” Zainab explains. “We learned how our money can grow, how to plan for the future, and how to think about generations to come. It gave us confidence we never had before.”
One of the most remarkable initiatives introduced by LABE was the loan-goat program. The group acquired 10 goats as a collective resource. Each goat that gives birth passes its kid to a member who originally did not own one. The impact has been more than financial – it has transformed nutrition, household stability, and a sense of community.
“These goats are more than animals to us,” Zainab says, picking up a small, frolicking kid as she talks. “They are milk for our children, a little extra income, and a symbol of hope. Every kid that is born is a gift to a family who didn’t have one before.”
The VSLA has become a platform for empowerment and unity. Members support one another, celebrate successes, and face gardening challenges together. Zainab speaks passionately about the transformation not just in her life but across the village.
“Before, we each struggled alone. Now, we think together, save together, and grow together. We started saving money to help ourselves and the center, but we ended up saving our dreams, our children’s future, and even our community,” she says, her voice filled with quiet conviction.
Today, Zainab and her VSLA members are more than a savings group; they are a model of community resilience and innovation. What began as a small, tentative idea has grown into a thriving network that uplifts everyone involved, proving that when people unite with vision, determination, and support, even the simplest savings can spark incredible change.
“We are stronger together,” Zainab concludes. “And I believe our story is just beginning. There is so much more we can do for our families and our village, as long as we keep working together.”