“When women have the opportunity to save, access affordable credit and invest in their livelihoods, the benefits extend beyond individual households, they can strengthen families and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.” This was one of the key messages shared by Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU) during the Rotary Kampala South Family Mega Project held in Jjanyi, Kajjansi.
Held under the theme “Health. Community. Hope. Serving Together, Transforming Lives,” the community outreach initiative brought together Rotary clubs, development partners, community leaders and local residents to promote health, environmental conservation, economic empowerment and community development.
JFCU Empowered Women Sharing Stories of Economic Empowerment
Represented by four women, two members of the Bwaise Savings Group and two from the Bukoto Savings Group, the women had an opportunity to share their experiences and highlight how participation in savings groups has created opportunities for women to improve their livelihoods and support their families.
Through the savings groups, members have been able to save consistently, access affordable loans, start and expand small businesses, and support one another during times of financial difficulty. Beyond access to capital, the groups have also provided women with spaces to build confidence, strengthen social networks and collectively address challenges affecting their households and communities. The women’s testimonies demonstrated that economic empowerment is not simply about increasing household income. It is also about giving women greater agency over decisions that affect their lives, their families and their futures.
For families, these gains can have an important ripple effect. When women have greater economic security and access to resources, they are better positioned to contribute to their children’s education, health, nutrition and overall wellbeing.
“The suport we got from Joy for Children Uganda has changed our lives for the better. Now we can also empower other women with knowledge and skills, just like they empowered us.” - Vicky, chairperson of Bukoto Savings group
We have established 4 savings groups in Bukoto, Kivulu, Bwaise, and Mulago slum areas. Through these groups we have impacted the lives of over 100 women and their families, empowering them with skills and knowledge that promote sustainable livelihoods.
Investing in Communities and the Environment
The event also highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility as part of sustainable community development. Participants from different organizations and the surrounding community came together for a tree-planting activity, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the environment for present and future generations. The activity provided an opportunity for community members to take practical action toward environmental conservation while reinforcing the message that sustainable development requires collective responsibility.
One of the day's highlights was the tree-planting session, a symbolic and practical activity that reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship among children. Over 50 trees were planted To encourage long-term responsibility, the school's head girl was entrusted with overseeing the care of the trees that had been planted, and those that are yet to be planted. A powerful reminder to children that protecting the environment begins with intentional, everyday actions.
Bringing Essential Services Closer to Communities
Beyond the economic empowerment and environmental activities, the Family Mega Project provided an integrated platform for addressing a range of community needs. Participants accessed free health services through a medical camp, received health education and took part in community engagement activities aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus. Bringing these services together created an opportunity for community members to access support while engaging with organizations working to improve their wellbeing.
Participation in such spaces is an opportunity to connect its work on women’s empowerment and child wellbeing with broader efforts to build stronger communities.
Strengthening Women, Strengthening Children
Our participation in the Rotary Kampala South Family Mega Project reflects its commitment to supporting women, protecting children and promoting community-driven solutions.
The experiences shared by women from the Bwaise and Bukoto Savings Groups demonstrated that empowerment can begin with something as simple as creating a safe and supportive space for women to save together. Over time, these opportunities can translate into access to capital, stronger livelihoods, increased confidence and greater capacity to support families.
The event also demonstrated the value of partnerships in advancing sustainable development. By bringing together communities, civil society organizations, development partners and service providers, the Rotary Mega Project created a platform for collective action on health, livelihoods, environmental conservation and community wellbeing. The experience reinforced an important lesson: when women are empowered, families become stronger, children have greater opportunities to thrive, and communities are better equipped to build a more resilient future.
JFCU remains committed to working with communities and partners to create opportunities that advance women’s empowerment, uphold children’s rights and contribute to lasting, community-led change.
Highlights from the event;
