Village Savings and Loan Associations
To address the financial barriers faced by many pregnant women in the community UAOWF has helped create and train Village Savings and Loan associations (VSLAs) VSLAS are self managed groups of around 20-40 people to meet and save money regularly. Through these groups, women can access small loans and obtain emergency funds for care.
This program targets mainly poor and widowed families especially those that keep orphans and vulnerable children. Members from these families are mobilized are encouraged to form groups of not more that 20-40 people. These groups are then trained in income generating activities including bead making, tailoring, improved poultry and animal rearing. The organization also works with the groups to identify suitable markets for their products.