Stitching Together a Future

In a last-mile village in Kaliro District, a group of neighbors came together in early 2023 to address a longstanding challenge. “Before we established our VSLA, it was often difficult to find financial support because we lacked savings and credit groups in our village. Most of us relied solely on agricultural produce for our survival. We occasionally borrowed from other community members,” recalls Dasan, secretary of the VSLA.

The group, formed as a joint VSLA, with thirty members, nine men and twenty-one women, with a vision that extended beyond savings alone. “As a group, we agreed to invest in tailoring skills and purchasing sewing machines. Every member was reminded to do a seed return after the harvest season to generate funds, which would allow us to hire a trainer and acquire the necessary machines and materials,” Dasan explains. With contributions of maize and beans sold for UGX 1,041,000, and a top-up from savings and interest, the group purchased four sewing machines at UGX 400,000 each and hired a trainer. Eighteen women completed the three-month training, and soon the whirring of sewing machines became a new sound in the village. “Our dream has come true, with 18 women completing the training so far. They have begun creating various products that we sell within our village and neighboring areas. This has significantly boosted our collective income, and each woman receives 5% of the earnings from the dresses she makes,” Dasan says proudly.

The tailoring initiative gradually grew into a reliable source of income. In 2024, the group incurred UGX 1,600,000 in production costs and recorded a profit of UGX 2,400,000 after deducting these expenses. The members continued to brainstorm new ways to expand their income base and agreed upon an additional business this year. “In June of this year, we passed a resolution to launch a new income-generating initiative. We decided to purchase 200 chairs and a 100-seater tent for event rentals in our village and neighboring areas. Currently, we have acquired 20 chairs, which we rent out at UGX 300 each. By the end of the year, we aim to have all 200 chairs purchased, after which we will begin planning for the procurement of the tent,” Dasan explains.

Each chair was purchased for UGX 26,000, and the group values the tent at approximately UGX 2,500,000. With a dedicated member appointed for record-keeping and asset management, the group has maintained transparency and accountability in all its activities.

While challenges remain, most notably the shortage of sewing machines for the number of women eager to use them, the group is undeterred. They plan to steadily increase the number of machines, aiming to provide a machine to every member by 2026. “In the future, we aspire for each member to possess their own sewing machine, allowing them to engage in personal tailoring businesses and also explore other income-generating opportunities,” says Dasan.

Be part of our journey. Support last-mile communities by supporting Raising The Village. 

Raising The Village (RTV) partners with last-mile, rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and develops holistic initiatives that pave the pathway out of ultra-poverty towards economic self-sufficiency within 24 months. Our programs focus on improving agricultural incomes through training and providing agricultural inputs, diversifying income streams, removing barriers to participation such as lack of access to health, water, financial inclusion, and food security, and promoting healthy behaviors including adopting healthy WASH and gender equity practices. Since 2016, we have impacted the lives of more than 1.3 million people in last-mile villages in Uganda.