Wild with Saving

On the morning of their weekly savings group meeting, many of the parents we work with in Northern Uganda put on their nicest clothes. Not because they’re going to church or attending a celebration, but because they’re going to what they now call their “community bank.”

It may seem like a small detail, but it says something powerful. These weekly meetings have become places of dignity, responsibility, and hope.

In rural Northern Uganda, a formal bank is usually miles away and out of reach, and most families have never had a bank account. For years, community savings groups also carried a poor reputation after many failed because of mismanagement, weak leadership, and broken trust. That’s why our team doesn’t simply help start savings groups—we walk alongside them.

Each week, 273 caregivers gather in eight Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Together, they save small amounts of money, provide loans to one another, and encourage each other as they work toward a more secure future. Through ongoing coaching and mentorship, each group is built on transparency, good leadership, and trust. Over time, confidence grows, relationships deepens, and families begin planning for the future together.

Today, they no longer think of these gatherings as just another savings group. Families call them their community bank.

And the name reflects more than a place to save money; it reflects a new way of thinking.

Instead of living from one crisis to the next, parents are beginning to plan ahead. They’re saving for school fees before they’re due, investing in farming and small businesses, and preparing for emergencies instead of being overwhelmed by them.

Bosco, a father in one of the groups, described the transformation this way: “Through this group, I have learned that saving is not only about money but about planning for the future. Even small amounts can grow into something meaningful when we are consistent and disciplined.”

Bosco’s story isn’t unique. Across all eight groups, we’re seeing families embrace the same mindset of planning, saving, and investing in their future. Already this year:

• 273 caregivers are meeting and saving together every week

• The eight savings groups have collectively saved $5,791

• Some families have already saved more than they did during their entire first year last year—and we’re only halfway through the year

When Bruno, our Uganda Director, shared the latest update, he laughed and said, “These guys have gone wild with saving!”

We couldn’t agree more.

What excites us most isn’t the amount that’s being saved—it’s what those savings represents. They represent parents planning for tomorrow, families building stability, and children growing up in homes that are stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to care for them.