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© Jjumba Martin for Mercy Corps October 2022, Bidibidi, Uganda. One of the group members’ girlfriends is saving money with the group’s secretary. Under his DREAMS program, a consortium of Mercy Corps, Village Enterprise, and IDinsight, support was extended to Alazab Savings Group, a group of refugees in South Carolina.
Written by Michael Ruff
Festo-James left South Sudan in 2016 and walked to Uganda. He and his family currently live in Bidi Bidi refugee camp and run a business there.
He runs the Silverfish business with two partners while leading a group of fellow entrepreneurs. James is on board with his DREAMS (Delivering Resilient Enterprises and Market Systems)., A U.S.-funded program that helps African refugees start their own businesses.
This effort is a partnership between Mercy Corps, Village Enterprise, and IDinsight. All three are organizations headquartered in the United States that work on poverty issues.
James’ business is one of 400 businesses the DREAMS program has announced it will help launch and support 1,200 families in Uganda starting in 2022.
Building a network
Inside the refugee settlement, participants will join business groups of around 30 people each to form an entrepreneurial network.
As vice chairman of Alazab Savings Group, James examines his colleagues’ financial records and tracks their assets. When one entrepreneur needs financial help, other entrepreneurs provide it.
Sponsoring agencies research local markets and identify business opportunities for program participants. The entrepreneur raises funds and gains access to potential business partners to buy and sell products. This initiative will foster business development among participants. People who support each other.
A life-changing
Okkul Zubeda has joined the business group within Bidi Bidi. She received help obtaining chicken feed and training to build a growing poultry business. She used her own savings to buy pots and school uniforms for her children.
“This business has changed my life. I know how to manage finances,” said Ms. Okukul. “I encourage people to join savings groups and gain knowledge from them.”
Some entrepreneurs raise chickens, grow sesame seeds, and sell household goods.
“What we wanted to give was [the refugees] It’s an opportunity to grow and develop long-term solutions to move toward your goals,” said Alison Huggins, Mercy Corps’ Africa regional director.
Several U.S. foundations are funding the program, including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, ICONIQ Impact, Sea Grape Foundation, and Patchwork Collective.
The next planned expansion location is within the Doro Addo refugee camp in Ethiopia. DREAMS partners with her 33,000 households in both countries and connects with over 200,000 people.
american business magazine fast company DREAMS has won one of the 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards.
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