Meet Betty…

Betty* is a 42-year-old mother of four who has been a participant in the Cents for Seeds (C4S) program for the past three years. Throughout her involvement, she has received both soybeans and simsim (sesame seeds). In her first and second harvests, she yielded 42 kilograms of soybeans each time. With these yields, Betty was able to pay for her children's school fees and medical bills, retain some produce for home consumption, and sell the remainder to bolster her savings. Remarkably, she managed to purchase a cow, providing milk for her family and an additional source of income through sales to others.

This year, Betty aims to harvest over 100 kilograms, with the ultimate vision of building a house. She exemplifies the many women in C4S who have leveraged the initial 30-kilogram seed loan to start small businesses and generate additional income streams. Such achievements are made possible by our generous donor community and a simple $30 donation.

However, challenges remain. Betty and her family rely on a well located 3-4 kilometers from their home. Using her bicycle, the journey is more efficient, but walking would significantly increase the time required. Access to clean water is a pressing issue in Northern Uganda, where many communities face similar challenges. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the country's population has reached approximately 45.9 million as of the 2024 census, with a growth rate of 2.9%. This rapid population increase intensifies the demand for essential resources like clean water. Additionally, Uganda hosts over 1.6 million refugees and asylum seekers, further straining its resources.

If you're interested in supporting initiatives to construct more wells in Northern Uganda, check out our Well Worth It program and consider running for clean water in 2025 (or fundraising in your own way).

To learn more about Cents for Seeds and its impact on women across Northern Uganda, watch the following video!

*Names and images have been changed for privacy.