As one of my last posts as IC’s social media intern, I wanted to write about a program in Gulu, Uganda that is close to my heart and is one of the (many) reasons that inspire me to work at Invisible Children. Our Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program in northern Uganda is one of many programs but by far my favorite.

The Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) program empowers people in rural communities to take control of their personal finances for the first time. They meet once a week in groups of 30, and each member of the group saves, takes out loans, repays loans with interest, and invests. VSLA participants have been known to save money for their children’s education, invest in livestock, or start a small business.

This program creates so much sustainability, opportunity, and accountability. Did I mention that it’s run by community members on the ground? What is great about this program, and by far the best aspect of it all, is what these loans are used for. Sure, the locals learn the low-down on how to manage money in the best way and how to build a community around giving, but what this program really does is give these communities a life they never could have dreamed of. Sending their children to school, starting small businesses, and investing in livestock are things that build dreams for the families involved. I’m pumped on it, and we hope you’ll take some time to get to know it more. This is truly where sustainability thrives, and without the help from our TRI donors and fundraisers, this wouldn’t be possible.