Background

Five Talents has been working in Uganda since 2001 in partnership with the Church of Uganda (Anglican). Three microfinance programs have been established in Kabale, Kasese and Kampala. The local partners in collaboration with Five Talents have decided to consolidate these three programs under one legal organization known as "Five Talents Uganda". This office will serve as the primary point of contact for all work done by Five Talents in Uganda including short-term trips for business professionals to participate in client business training. Once the consolidation is complete, Five Talents Uganda will be able to expand effectively into other parts of the country.

Goals of Five Talents Uganda

• To alleviate poverty among those who are marginalized but are economically active by improving their access to credit facilities.
• To create job opportunities by enabling the entrepreneurial poor to be job creators.
• To develop business knowledge and skills.
• To encourage a culture of savings.

Plans and Budget for 2008

Five Talents Uganda Office - £15,000

A staff of three will be headquartered in Kampala. They will oversee the three branch offices and coordinate expansion to other parts of Uganda. Funding in this case will be primarily for salaries, transportation, rent and other administrative expenses.

Kasese branch - £15,000

Based in Kasese, near the Congo border. This programme is already self-sustainable and the loan interest is sufficient to cover all local running costs including salaries for the 3 staff. Funds are needed to increase the loan capital in order to serve more clients.

Kabale branch - £15,000

Based in Kabale, near the Rwanda border. This programme is also self-sustainable, currently loaning to more than 1,000 entrepreneurs per month. Funds are needed to increase the loan capital in order to serve more clients.

Kampala branch - £15,000

Based in Kampala. This is the youngest programme in Uganda, currently providing loans to around 500 entrepreneurs. Funds are needed to increase the loan capital in order for the programme to expand and to reach a self-sustainable state.

More Information

Watch a film of our work in Uganda here.

Simon Lee, a volunteer from the UK, has been working with Five Talents Uganda and you can read his blog here.

Click here to read trip reports from Uganda and other countries.

Click here to read case studies from Uganda and other countries.