Everything began to change when I attended a business training with Global Village Connect. During the training, I learned practical ways to raise capital and manage the business' finances. But just as importantly, I began to believe in myself again. I left the training with renewed energy and hope that my story could change. I decided to take farming seriously, using the small piece of land I had to grow crops. After my first harvest, I sold the produce and raised 10,000 shillings (about $2.80). With that money, I was able to reopen my retail shop. Today, my shop is doing well. I earn about $2.80 US in profit each day, and I save $1.40 daily. These savings have become a lifeline for my family. They help us face emergencies without fear. I can now pay school fees for my children, provide enough food for our home, and cover medical expenses when they arise. Looking ahead, my dream is to expand my shop into a mini supermarket that can serve even more people in my community. I know the journey will take time, but I am confident the future is bright for my family. I am deeply thankful to Global Village Connect for opening my eyes and giving me the courage to start again.
In my village, when a girl leaves school, people assume she will get married. That expectation weighed heavily on me—but deep down, I knew that wasn’t the life I wanted. I wanted more. Everything changed when I was given the opportunity to attend a business training with Global Village Connect. During the training, I learned something that shifted my thinking completely: I didn’t need a lot of money to begin. I could start small and grow step by step. That simple idea gave me courage—and hope. After completing the training, I decided to raise some starting capital through casual labor. I worked for five days digging in someone’s garden and earned 10,000 shillings (about $2.80). It wasn’t much, but it was mine. It was my first step toward independence. With that money, I began selling vegetables in my village. Slowly, my business started to grow. Today, I earn a daily profit of 3,000 shillings (around 80 cents), and I save 1,000 shillings (20 cents) every single day without fail. Those savings make me proud, because they represent a future I am building for myself. I can now support my parents by buying small household items like sugar, soap, and food. Being able to contribute has changed how I see myself. I have learned how to manage my money wisely, and I believe my business will continue to grow. Today, I am happier, more confident, and full of hope. I am deeply grateful to Global Village Connect for opening my eyes and helping me see that—even when life is difficult—I can create my own path. Did you miss the Global Village Connect gala? Then you missed this inspiring video about Zohar Salon in Namatumba.
Zohar means "radiance," and true to its name, these women are shining brightly, lighting the way for others who dare to dream. Carolyn is just 23 years old—a single mother, living with her parents, and raising her young son. For a long time, she carried a heavy burden. She wanted to help her family and contribute, but didn’t know where to begin. That’s when she joined Global Village Connect’s business training. What she found there was more than knowledge; she found confidence and the knowledge to move forward. Caroline learned how to start small, manage money, and treat customers well. And she put those lessons into action. With just a $5 loan from friends, she opened a tiny stall selling donuts and tea. Watch her inspiring story to hear it in her own words.  In June, a determined group of women in Namutumba proudly opened the doors of their new salon, made possible through sponsorship support from Ahavas Shalom. What began as a dream has grown into a thriving business run by ten women working hand in hand to make it succeed. The women credit much of their success to the business training provided by Global Village Connect two years ago. That training gave them the tools to manage finances with care, keep accurate records, and serve clients with professionalism. Now, with skills and opportunity working together, the salon is drawing a steady stream of walk-in customers every day. Looking ahead, the women are focused on growth. Their next goal is to purchase salon supplies directly from companies, cutting out middlemen to save on transport costs and benefit from economies of scale. This shift will help make the business more profitable.
While profits are not yet being shared, the group anticipates beginning distributions by the end of October. That milestone will mean more than income—it will enable mothers to meet essential family needs such as school supplies, nutritious food, and medical care. The Namutumba salon is more than a business. It is a story of resilience, teamwork, and women taking charge of their economic future. With every braid, wash, and style, these women are not only building livelihoods but also inspiring their community with the power of collective action.
  My name is Gonza Dorothy, and I am a proud entrepreneur today—but this journey began with a simple opportunity. I was fortunate to attend a business training organized by Global Village Connect, and it completely changed the way I saw my environment and my own potential. I had always wanted to start a business, but I lacked the knowledge and confidence. During the training, I learned how to identify local needs, calculate profits, manage finances, and market products. That’s when I noticed something I had overlooked: schools, restaurants, and households in my community all struggled to find firewood. With just $10, I took a bold step and started supplying firewood. At first, I sold only to schools and restaurants, but soon individuals began buying for cooking and heating water. Word spread, and the demand grew. Today, I earn about $1.60 a day. It may seem small, but to me it means everything. I can put food on the table, meet basic needs, and support my children and grandchildren. I no longer depend on others—I have regained a sense of dignity and independence. My grandchildren look up to me, and I feel proud knowing I’m building a legacy for them. The journey isn’t always easy—sometimes supply is low or weather makes transport difficult—but I now have the skills to manage challenges. What keeps me going is the knowledge and inspiration I gained from Global Village Connect. Thank you, Global Village Connect, for opening my eyes and giving me the confidence to begin. My life has truly been elevated.  Hello! I'm Simon |
| I noticed that tomatoes were in high demand, yet no one around my community was planting them. That’s when I saw a business opportunity: I would farm tomatoes! | Thank you for empowering me and helping me towards a better future. |
One day, while scrolling through social media, I came across a video where someone was explaining a modern tomato farming method and its many benefits. I felt so inspired that I decided to give it a try.
To kickstart my idea, I borrowed $54 from a local savings group. I bought tomato seedlings and some sacks. I prepared a nursery bed and later filled the sacks with soil. When the seedlings were ready for transplanting, I carefully transferred them into the sacks.
I water my tomatoes every day and give them the best care I can. I’m doing everything possible to ensure a good harvest, because I believe in this project. I expect to make a profit of $383 when the tomatoes are ready for sale. With three harvests a year, this profit of over $1,100 will help me take care of my family’s needs.
Thank you, Global Village Connect, for empowering me and move towards a better future!
To kickstart my idea, I borrowed $54 from a local savings group. I bought tomato seedlings and some sacks. I prepared a nursery bed and later filled the sacks with soil. When the seedlings were ready for transplanting, I carefully transferred them into the sacks.
I water my tomatoes every day and give them the best care I can. I’m doing everything possible to ensure a good harvest, because I believe in this project. I expect to make a profit of $383 when the tomatoes are ready for sale. With three harvests a year, this profit of over $1,100 will help me take care of my family’s needs.
Thank you, Global Village Connect, for empowering me and move towards a better future!
| My name is Naigaga Kawa. I am 38 years old, a mother of five, and a wife to a man who, despite his efforts, has never had a stable income. Life in Namutumba has always been a struggle, but I have never been one to sit and wait for things to change on their own. I knew that if I wanted a better future for my children, I had to take action. | The joy of knowing that my hard work is putting food on the table gives me strength....Now, I am not just a mother or wife but a businesswoman, and I am building a better future for my children, one sale at a time." |
For years, I depended on the little my husband could provide, but it was never enough. Feeding
the children, paying school fees, and handling daily expenses became harder each day. I often
went to bed worrying about how we would get through the next day. But everything changed when I got an opportunity to attend a business training program with Global Village Connect.
The training opened my eyes. I learned how to save, manage money, and run a business. I had always wanted to start something of my own, but I lacked the confidence and knowledge. After the training, I decided to take a risk. With 20,000 shillings from my small savings (about $5.40), I started selling fresh vegetables and cooking groceries in my neighborhood.
At first, business was slow. Some days, I barely made any profit. I worried if I had made a wrong
choice, but I reminded myself of what I had learned—persistence is key. I treated my customers well, kept my vegetables fresh, and adjusted my prices to attract more buyers. Slowly, things began to change. More people started coming to me, and my profit grew to 3,000 shillings, or $1 a day.
It may not seem like much to some, but to me, it was a step toward freedom. With this money, I
can buy food for my children without worrying. I can save a little for emergencies, and I no longer have to rely entirely on my husband. The joy of knowing that my hard work is putting food on the table gives me strength.
Looking ahead, I dream of expanding my business. I want to grow my capital, increase my stock, and one day, open a small shop. My journey has taught me that knowledge is power and that even with the smallest beginning, success is possible. Now, I am not just a mother or a wife but I am a businesswoman, and I am building a better future for my children, one sale at a time
the children, paying school fees, and handling daily expenses became harder each day. I often
went to bed worrying about how we would get through the next day. But everything changed when I got an opportunity to attend a business training program with Global Village Connect.
The training opened my eyes. I learned how to save, manage money, and run a business. I had always wanted to start something of my own, but I lacked the confidence and knowledge. After the training, I decided to take a risk. With 20,000 shillings from my small savings (about $5.40), I started selling fresh vegetables and cooking groceries in my neighborhood.
At first, business was slow. Some days, I barely made any profit. I worried if I had made a wrong
choice, but I reminded myself of what I had learned—persistence is key. I treated my customers well, kept my vegetables fresh, and adjusted my prices to attract more buyers. Slowly, things began to change. More people started coming to me, and my profit grew to 3,000 shillings, or $1 a day.
It may not seem like much to some, but to me, it was a step toward freedom. With this money, I
can buy food for my children without worrying. I can save a little for emergencies, and I no longer have to rely entirely on my husband. The joy of knowing that my hard work is putting food on the table gives me strength.
Looking ahead, I dream of expanding my business. I want to grow my capital, increase my stock, and one day, open a small shop. My journey has taught me that knowledge is power and that even with the smallest beginning, success is possible. Now, I am not just a mother or a wife but I am a businesswoman, and I am building a better future for my children, one sale at a time
The goats arrive!
The finished goat shelter before the goats arrived. Kwania goat farm was established by seventeen local families working to escape poverty through collectively owning and running a sustainable business.
Farm construction took place in early 2024, but getting the goats proved difficult. An outbreak of hoof and mouth disease in Uganda meant that no new goats were being sold for several months. When they were finally available, our team took a trip across the country to procure the goats. Hours of bad roads, difficulty getting required permits and paperwork, and several tense checkpoints later, the goats arrived in Kwania!
Last December, Kwania celebrated the arrival of seven healthy kids—a joyful reminder of the farm’s potential and the fruits of teamwork. While we haven’t yet achieved profitability, the farm’s progress is a shared achievement, with community members actively involved in every step. From feeding the goats to monitoring the expectant mothers, the dedication of our neighbors is helping pave the way for success.
Recognizing the need for sustainable practices, we’ve planted high-quality feeds with the help of local volunteers. The community’s shared knowledge and hands-on involvement are also guiding us as we prepare to acquire a silage machine to grind and stock feeds. This will ensure that our goats receive the nutrition they need, especially during the dry season.
Excitement is building as we look forward to our first major milestone—our anticipated Easter sale. With 20 pregnant goats expected to deliver soon, the farm is buzzing with hope and anticipation. The sale will mark a significant step toward profitability, but more importantly, it will be a moment of pride for the community that has invested its time, energy, and resources into the farm’s growth.
Kwania Goat Farm isn’t just about raising goats; it’s about building a collective future. Every milestone we achieve is a testament to the resilience and unity of the community behind it. Together, we are nurturing more than a farm—we’re cultivating hope, opportunities, and a brighter tomorrow.
Farm construction took place in early 2024, but getting the goats proved difficult. An outbreak of hoof and mouth disease in Uganda meant that no new goats were being sold for several months. When they were finally available, our team took a trip across the country to procure the goats. Hours of bad roads, difficulty getting required permits and paperwork, and several tense checkpoints later, the goats arrived in Kwania!
Last December, Kwania celebrated the arrival of seven healthy kids—a joyful reminder of the farm’s potential and the fruits of teamwork. While we haven’t yet achieved profitability, the farm’s progress is a shared achievement, with community members actively involved in every step. From feeding the goats to monitoring the expectant mothers, the dedication of our neighbors is helping pave the way for success.
Recognizing the need for sustainable practices, we’ve planted high-quality feeds with the help of local volunteers. The community’s shared knowledge and hands-on involvement are also guiding us as we prepare to acquire a silage machine to grind and stock feeds. This will ensure that our goats receive the nutrition they need, especially during the dry season.
Excitement is building as we look forward to our first major milestone—our anticipated Easter sale. With 20 pregnant goats expected to deliver soon, the farm is buzzing with hope and anticipation. The sale will mark a significant step toward profitability, but more importantly, it will be a moment of pride for the community that has invested its time, energy, and resources into the farm’s growth.
Kwania Goat Farm isn’t just about raising goats; it’s about building a collective future. Every milestone we achieve is a testament to the resilience and unity of the community behind it. Together, we are nurturing more than a farm—we’re cultivating hope, opportunities, and a brighter tomorrow.
At 36 years old, Monica is both a devoted mother of six and also a proud and active member of the Mothers Yes We Can Chicken Farm in Namatumba, Uganda. Since joining the project, her life has taken a positive turn, giving her financial stability and hope for her children’s future.
In December, Monica received her share of the farm’s dividends and immediately put it to good use—paying school fees for her child in secondary school. For her, this was a major relief.
“Before joining the group, I always worried about how I would afford school fees. Now, I know my son’s education is secure, and I can focus on providing for my other children,” Monica shares with a smile.
The collective business has given her not only a steady income from the farm but economic empowerment. She hopes more women have this opportunity.
In December, Monica received her share of the farm’s dividends and immediately put it to good use—paying school fees for her child in secondary school. For her, this was a major relief.
“Before joining the group, I always worried about how I would afford school fees. Now, I know my son’s education is secure, and I can focus on providing for my other children,” Monica shares with a smile.
The collective business has given her not only a steady income from the farm but economic empowerment. She hopes more women have this opportunity.
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