By Our Reporter 

Amuria District – Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) in Akeriau Sub-county, Orungo County, have received a significant boost through a financial literacy training program and top-up seed capital from Ms. Teddy Anyuk Osire, Director of Starlight Secondary School and aspiring Member of Parliament for Orungo County.

The training aimed to strengthen the financial management skills of the VSLA members while addressing the common challenge of limited capital. Each of the 20 savings groups received a top-up of Shs100,000, totaling Shs2 million in support from Anyuk.

VSLAs are community-based financial initiatives where members save money regularly—daily, weekly, or monthly—and lend it out to members at low interest rates. These grassroots models have proven instrumental in improving household incomes and supporting small businesses in rural areas.

During the engagement with the VSLA groups, several leaders highlighted the recurring issue of insufficient funds, explaining that once available capital is loaned out, other members are forced to wait, sometimes with urgent needs unmet.

In response to these concerns, Anyuk pledged not only the current top-up but also committed to lobbying for additional support from friends, government programs, and other well-wishers to further empower the VSLAs in Orungo County.

“I encourage you to continue saving in groups,” Anyuk told the members. “With a strong saving culture, it becomes easier to attract support from government and development partners.”

Emmanuel Ejangu, chairperson of Enapakinos Saving Group, shared the positive impact of VSLAs on their members. “We started in 2005 with 30 members and now have 45. Our members have benefited from group purchases like chairs, plates, and mattresses. More importantly, the savings have helped us educate our children, meet family needs, and handle medical expenses through affordable loans.”

Members from various groups expressed gratitude for Anyuk’s intervention and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the saving culture as a pathway to improved livelihoods.

This initiative marks a meaningful step toward financial empowerment and community development in Amuria District.