Mastercard Foundation CEO reports from BRAC Uganda

Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy is currently visiting BRAC's programs in Uganda. The Mastercard Foundation partnered with BRAC Uganda in 2008 to help us scale up our microfinance multiplied approach to poverty alleviation. Below is one of Reeta's posts from her visit. You can also follow her trip on Twitter.

Olive, the BRAC borrower and trained poultry vaccinator. She also grows mushrooms, which she proudly displays here. (Photo by Reeta Roy)

Lugazi, Mokono District
Jan 27, 2010

Today, we experienced how BRAC's “microfinance multiplied” model creates a succession of benefits in a community in the Mukono district. The heartbeat of the model is the microfinance group.

We met with one such group of dynamic women. Most of them were on their second or third loans, and growing their businesses. Nambi Aisha is a farmer, rears poultry and has also been trained by BRAC as a community health volunteer.

Nankabira Edith has a tailoring business. She used her second loan to buy a refrigerator so she could sell cold drinks. Meanwhile, Nanzera Edith was able to double the number of chickens she sells with her second loan.

The group chairman, Nankya Olive, cultivates mushrooms, sells snacks at schools and rears poultry. She was also trained as a poultry vaccinator. She proudly declared, "I vaccinate 4,000 chickens a month. People bring their chickens to me or I go to them. It's a good business."

I loved their bold spirit and confidence. And what do their husbands think? "They appreciate us!"