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.
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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.

​One day, I heard about a business training program organized by Global Village Connect in our area. Curious and desperate for change, I decided to attend. ​​The training was eye-opening. I learned how to start small, manage money, and identify opportunities in my community. For the first time, I felt empowered to take charge of my life.

After the training, I realized that many women in my village struggled to find dry firewood, especially during the rainy season. My business idea was born. I used my small savings account (about $5.40) to purchase a tree from a neighbor. I cut the tree into manageable pieces, dried the wood, and bundled it into small portions to sell.

I started selling the firewood for 20 cents per bundle. On my first day, I sold five bundles and made a profit of $1.30. I couldn’t believe it!

The women in my village learned they could rely on me to provide dry and affordable wood, and the demand for my firewood grew quickly.

Business training taught me the importance of using some of my profits to reinvest in growing and sustaining my business. I was making daily profits of $1.30 and reinvesting them into my business. I bought more trees, and even started to collect fallen branches to increase my supplies.

Another lesson in our training program was to diversify our offerings, and so I started to sell two smaller bundles of wood as well, a medium bundle for 50 cents and a small bundle for 10 cents, thus catering to the needs of a variety of customers. This flexibility helped me attract more buyers.  

Today, my business is thriving. I make a consistent profit, which allows me to provide for my eight children. I can now afford school fees, better food, and even save a little money for emergencies. My children are healthier and happier, and I feel proud to be a role model for them.

Beyond my family, my business has also made a difference in the community. Women in the village no longer struggle to find firewood during the rainy season. Some have even come to me for advice on starting their own small businesses, and I am always happy to share what I learned from Global Village Connect.
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Attending the business training changed my life. I am deeply grateful to Global Village Connect for giving me the knowledge and confidence to start my journey. What seemed like a small step—buying one tree —has transformed my life and given my children a brighter future.

I hope my story inspires other women to believe in themselves and take the first step, no matter how small it may seem. With determination and the right knowledge, anything is possible.

I got an opportunity to attend business training with Global Village Connect. I became determined to change my situation so I started doing casual labor—digging in people’s gardens for little pay. It was exhausting, but after weeks of hard work, I managed to save 50,000 Ugandan shillings (or $13.60). 

That money became the seed for my dream. I used it to buy a small bundle of second-hand clothes from a market in a nearby city. My first stock included children’s shirts, dresses, and trousers. I carried the clothes back to my village and started selling them door-to-door.

At first, business was slow. Many people were hesitant to buy from me, but I didn’t give up. I carefully selected clothes that were clean and in good condition, and I priced them fairly. Slowly, word spread about my business, and customers started coming to me. Within a few weeks, I had doubled my initial capital. I reinvested the profits to buy more clothes, and currently my daily profit is 8,000shs ($2.20).

The business has changed my life. For the first time in years, I can provide for my children without relying on my husband. They no longer go to bed hungry, and I’ve managed to pay their school fees consistently. My eldest son, who once stayed home because we couldn’t afford his uniform, is now back in school and excelling. Now, when I look at my children, I see a brighter future.

My journey taught me that even the smallest beginnings can lead to great transformations. My children are my motivation, and I am determined to build a legacy for them.

​Nuala’s family cared for this goat, it gave birth, and eventually they had six goats. For the last two years, they have sold a goat at the beginning of every school term to cover the costs of Nuala’s school supplies and fees.
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Last May, Nuala sold four goats, which covered both her school fees and enough building materials to construct a small, one-room house. She still has two mature goats, who will produce more goats, providing Nuala and her family with a greatly-needed and reliable source of income and stability.