VSLAs improving livelihoods of locals in Amolatar

AMOLATAR, October 18, 2023 – The Village Savings and Loans Associations [ VSLAs ] have improved the livelihoods of the beneficiaries in Amolatar district.

According to officials, there are over 600 VSLAs in the district, with members utilising VSLAs to save weekly, buy shares, as well as getting loans for business, and improving the welfare of their families.

Some of the VSLAs cited in the district include: Bedigen VSLA, Ketcan-itic VSLA, Mara en-teko VSLA, Awach VSLA, Tam-pi Anyim VSLA, Konya Konyi Women VSLA, Aweki ryeko VSLA, Anyapo VSLA, Ogenrwot Cattle Traders’ VSLA, and Alwala Cattle Traders VSLA in Nalobwoyo Sub-county,

Other VSLAs include Gwokpacu Cattle Traders VSLA in Aputi Sub-county, Opali Welders VSLA in Opali Sub-county, Alyet Welder VSLA in Aputi, Alemere Cattle Traders and Cattle services, Ocanoyere Produce Dealers in Amolatar Town Council, and Obangamio Fish dealers in Namasale Sub-county among others.

Most of the members of the VSLAs in the district are retail shop owners, fishmongers, cattle traders produce dealers, welders, and boda boda riders among others.

Milly Olum a resident of Okadodero village, Adoyoimo parish in Opali Sub-county who belongs to two VSLAs said she has been able to get loans from the VSLAs to boost her business and care for her family.

“I have been able to get some good money which has enabled me to meet my family needs such as paying school fees for my children, and increasing the size of my business. I have been able to support my husband in the development of our home,” Alum said.

For Patrick Joel Olal, the chairperson of Alyet VSLA Group said members have seen their businesses grow after forming the group.

“Within the two years that we started this group, there is a lot of change in our businesses, families are peaceful, theft and superstitions among people in the communities has reduced because members work hard to  raise money for saving,” Olal said.

Ivan Okello, the secretary of Gwokpacu VSLA Group in Awinyipany village noted that the businesses of members have expanded after acquiring loans, thus improving the welfare of families.

“Our life is never the same, most of our members have permanent houses they constructed as a result of saving. Our children are even in good private schools,” Okello said.

Talking to this reporter, Clavin Opolot, the coordinator of VSLA groups in Amolatar said a few months ago a total of 601 VSLAs were given Shs 135 million seed capital to help members boost their struggling businesses.

“These VSLA groups were formed at the village levels to improve the income levels of members through the various small businesses. We gave them [VSLAs] Shs 135mln to boost their businesses,” Opolot.

Meanwhile, Dr Agnes Atim Apea, the Amolatar district Woman Member of Parliament has urged VSLA members to invest the loans in businesses instead of spending it on consumption.

“My focus is to change the mindset of our people so that the money they are saving is not spent on consumption at the end of year, but rather it should be invested,” Apea, whose initiative birthed VSLAs in Amolatar district, said.

Mable Nabadda, the Microfinance Support Centre [MSC] Lira Manager said they are already supporting some of the outstanding VSLA groups in Amolatar district, adding that the groups are paying back the loans borrowed.

“We are already supporting the VSLA groups and they are paying back the loans very well, this will enable them to grow very fast in their various businesses,” she said.

https://thecooperator.news/mp-apea-boosts-amolatar-vslas-with-over-shs-130mln/

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