Teach Financial Literacy in Uganda

Empower the women of Uganda by volunteering to teach financial literacy and help them effectively participate in economic activities and to take appropriate financial decisions for themselves and their families. Women often have less financial knowledge and lower access to formal financial products than men. Women therefore have specific and additional financial literacy needs.

The Ssamba Foundation’s women empowerment program focuses on financial literacy, micro finance, small scale business management and budgeting skills training.  We ask volunteers interested in this program to commit at least 28 days (4 weeks) in order to ensure a worthwhile experience. But we accept volunteers from a minimum of 2 weeks’ duration. 

Program Introduction

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use financial skills, such as personal financial management, budgeting, and investing. Merely possessing money is not enough to make it sustainable. Financial literacy for rural women is thus very important to keep track of finances.

Financial literacy is the foundation of your relationship with money, and it is a lifelong journey of learning. The earlier you start, the better off you will be because education is the key to success when it comes to money. In reality, it has been observed that women in rural Uganda have limited financial knowledge.

This could be on account of women traditionally being ‘home-makers’ and not being concerned with where the finances are coming from and where they should go. However, with the changing economic scenario and the higher participation of women in the workforce, financial literacy for women should be given topmost priority.

Financial literacy for women is an important aspect of their independence, financial and otherwise. Being financially illiterate has led to a number of problems for the rural women of Uganda. Many have accumulated debt burdens, have poor spending habits, or lack long-term preparation. Financial literacy will empower the women, to make independent decisions. 

Program Mission: is to empower women and girls with the knowledge and skills necessary to make sound and responsible decisions about spending, saving, borrowing, and investing for a promising future of economic well-being.  

Volunteer Program Activities: Volunteer roles and duties are centered on economic literacy, entrepreneurship, and asset building. Volunteers teach women and girls how to handle their money like a “pro” from a position of knowledge, confidence, and financial clarity. Volunteers also provides coaching and mentoring opportunities.

How Program is Delivered: We host mini-rural conferences, seminars, workshops, and boot camps designed to help women and girls develop into critical thinkers with the power to control and manage  their resources for a sound economic future. 

VOLUNTEER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

As a volunteer, you will be working with our women empowerment program that looks at improving the quality of life for women in Mukono by providing economic stability.

This Women Empowerment Project has a number of projects that aim to transform the livelihoods of these poor women through education, economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. You will be working with and helping women aged between 18 and 35 to become economically self-sufficient, providing them with the space and support to develop their business ideas.

You can lead workshops in business skills, IT, administration, financial literacy, people management and customer care. You will be involved in a variety of interesting activities to help the women and girls in the community.

You may be asked to run specialty focused sessions during your time at the project site. You will find the experience extremely rewarding as you build trust and spend time sharing your own experiences with the women and girls, and listening to their own stories.

You might like to develop business plans and small grant proposals and help to design and successfully market handmade products. Whatever your background you can be sure that the guidance, knowledge and enthusiasm you bring to this project will benefit the women for years to come.

You don’t need specific experience working with women’s groups but a willingness to help where needed, a genuine interest in supporting women in need and being sensitive are some of the attributes you should have.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

• You must be 25 yrs and above 
• You must have some business & financial literacy skills & experience
• You must speak some English (you don’t need to be fluent) 
• We recommend travel/life personal insurance 
• You must commit at least 2 weeks’ minimum
• You must be Sociable, Energetic, Positive & Fun!
• Learn more about Who can Apply?

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

All volunteers based in Mukono (up to 10 at one time) will live together in a warmly family-home. Delicious 2 meals are provided each day, which consists of local foods, such as matooke (mashed plantain), posho (cornmeal), potatoes and rice or noodles. They are generally served with beef, fish, peas, beans or groundnut sauce. Bread, eggs, vegetables and fruits are available for breakfast, vegetarians are also accommodated.

Volunteers staying at our Kyampisi Backpackers Home are assigned a bed based on capacity, arrival time and length of stay. All beds have good mosquito nets and you don’t need to bring your own sheets etc. Accommodation at this home is in shared dorm styled bedrooms and shared twin bedroom, accommodating up to 10 people when full. There are between 2-3 beds per room. The emphasis at the home is placed on a relaxed friendly family like atmosphere.

THE COSTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Ssamba Foundation – empowering vulnerable communities since 2006