Mercy Corps - Africa: Bidi Bidi, Uganda

Christian Modo (3, blue overalls) went with his mother, Doreen Ajio, to a meeting of the Mercy Corps-supported farmers group, in Bidi Bidi Zone 4 village 5. With Mercy Corps' assistance, the farmers have formed a VSLA (Village Savings and Loans Association) so that members will be able to begin to save some of the money they earn through the sale of crops.South Sudanese refugees are given small plots of land, and Ugandan nationals have larger plots but very few people to work the land. Together they combine their resources and labor. Mercy Corps provided each farmer with a voucher for 20,000 Ugandan shillings, and many of the farmers groups pooled their vouchers together to buy greater quantities of seeds and more products. Mercy Corps also organized a trade fair between the farmers and the agro dealers so that they could spend their vouchers and purchase what they needed.
Bidi Bidi, Uganda, December 2017

Christian Modo (3, blue overalls) went with his mother, Doreen Ajio, to a meeting of the Mercy Corps-supported farmers group, in Bidi Bidi Zone 4 village 5. With Mercy Corps' assistance, the farmers have formed a VSLA (Village Savings and Loans Association) so that members will be able to begin to save some of the money they earn through the sale of crops.South Sudanese refugees are given small plots of land, and Ugandan nationals have larger plots but very few people to work the land. Together they combine their resources and labor. Mercy Corps provided each farmer with a voucher for 20,000 Ugandan shillings, and many of the farmers groups pooled their vouchers together to buy greater quantities of seeds and more products. Mercy Corps also organized a trade fair between the farmers and the agro dealers so that they could spend their vouchers and purchase what they needed.