Keeping children in school: How community savings and local solutions are transforming lives in Uganda
Village Savings and Loan Associations empower communities to tackle local challenges and support girls’ education.
In Uganda, community-led initiatives are helping to remove barriers to education while strengthening resilience and inclusion at local level. Within one Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in Kapchorwa district of Mt Elgon, members are combining financial empowerment with practical solutions to address challenges faced by children and youth – particularly girls – in staying in school.
VSLAs are self-managed community groups that enable members to save regularly and access small loans to meet household needs, invest in livelihoods, or respond to unexpected expenses. Beyond financial inclusion, VSLAs often become platforms for collaboration, learning and social action, supporting broader community priorities such as health, education and gender equity.
Within this VSLA, members have developed a handmade reusable sanitary pads initiative, responding directly to a challenge that affects school attendance for many girls. Using locally available materials, women and men work together to sew thicker, layered pads that are durable, affordable and reusable. The initiative reflects strong community ownership, skills development and shared responsibility.
Members of the VSLA community collaborate to sew reusable sanitary pads, combining skills and shared responsibility to support girls’ education.
Volcafe supports the establishment and strengthening of Village Savings and Loan Associations across Uganda, working alongside local partners to promote financial inclusion and community resilience. Over 500 VSLAs are supported across the country, including over 250 in the Rwenzori region, reaching approximately 6,580 farmers; 88 in Masaka, representing around 1,125 farming households; and 165 in the Mt Elgon region, reaching over 4,200 farmers. By helping communities build strong savings groups, Volcafe contributes to initiatives that address local priorities – including education, health and gender equity – and help remove barriers for young people to remain in school.
Access to menstrual hygiene products remains a significant barrier to education in many rural areas. Without reliable solutions girls may miss several days of school each month or disengage from education altogether. By producing reusable sanitary pads locally, this initiative helps ensure that menstruation does not interrupt learning or limit opportunities for young women.
The impact extends beyond the immediate product. The initiative encourages open dialogue around menstrual health, reduces stigma and reinforces the importance of keeping girls in school. The active involvement of both women and men highlights a collective commitment to education, dignity and long-term community wellbeing.
By linking savings, skills and social awareness across several VSLAs, communities are demonstrating how local solutions can drive meaningful impact. Supporting girls to remain in school not only strengthens individual futures but also contributes to more resilient families and communities over time.
Marie Renou-Ullrich, Head of Marketing and Communications, email hidden; JavaScript is required
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