Kwagala Racheal's story

Kwagala Racheal

“Through VSLA, farming as a business, and chili production, I gained confidence, income, and the courage to speak in public.”

Kwagala Racheal is a 19-year-old member of Elite WhatsApp Group in Buganza Parish, Kitayunjwa Sub-county, Kamuli District. Before the intervention of A Working Future project, implemented by VEDCO with support from Plan International Uganda, Racheal says life was full of hardship. She could not afford basic personal needs, lacked confidence to speak in public, and believed farming was a waste of time rather than a paying opportunity. When she learned about AWF and its objectives, she saw it as a life-changing opportunity and joined a group of 30 youth members aged 15 to 24. Through the VSLA, she accessed a cash loan of UGX 50,000, used UGX 37,500 to buy chili seed, and planted a quarter-acre garden. She used the balance to buy home necessities. VEDCO's trainings in VSLA methodologies, farming as a business, good agronomic practices, and financial literacy helped her gain confidence, speak in public, and understand that farming can be a strong employment opportunity for school dropouts. In March 2020, Racheal started selling chili from her garden. Each week, she can sell about 50 kg and earn between UGX 75,000 and UGX 100,000. She uses part of the income to meet personal needs, support her parents with food at home, and save the balance in her VSLA. Racheal says the project helped her see that girls deserve equal opportunities and have the same rights as boys.