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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 78959, member: 636"]
An NGO called Spark Microgrants is testing a different way to fight rural poverty in eastern Uganda. They are working with local officials in Bulambuli District on Mount Elgon, supporting village savings groups. Their project coordinator, Grace Emma Akello, explained the simple model where people save together weekly and take out small loans for farms or businesses. The program specifically targets women, who often get locked out of normal bank credit.

District leaders like Deputy Resident District Commissioner Faheera Mpalanyi are seeing positive early signs, like better household money flow and stronger community ties. She wants the government to copy this approach for other programs. The country director for Spark, Allen Makabayi, pointed out that the area’s main issue is not growing food but turning crops into reliable cash. He noted the model has encouraged more women to become community leaders.

This pilot happens while a huge chunk of Uganda's rural population still lives in poverty. The big question for policymakers is whether this community-run funding idea can be expanded nationally.
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