LOVE MERCY

“Zambrero and Love Mercy Foundation share the belief that every individual has the capacity to make a difference in the world. Our mission to stand alongside communities in need with hope, empowerment, and lasting change is the driving force behind our partnership together. You too can join our journey as we continue to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

- Eloise Wellings, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Love Mercy Foundation

EMPOWERING WOMEN

Through Cents for Seeds, Love Mercy is changing the lives of families in northern Uganda by empowering women and enabling them to provide for their families. The program involves 3 core pillars that work together to ensure its long-term sustainability.

MICROLOANS

Participants receive a small loan of seeds (such as soybean or sesame), a handheld gardening tool, and educational workshops. Following biannual harvests, the women repay the seed loan, with interest, so it can be given to the next group of participants. This creates a self-sustaining cycle that can help more communities over time. Each harvest typically produces 150kg of crops per seed loan, allowing each woman to keep at least 120kg for her own food and economic security.

VSLAs

Participants join a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in order to manage their finances as a community. VSLAs provide a reliable, community-based system for saving, lending, and financial education. VSLAs help members pool their savings into a fund to accumulate wealth collectively and borrow from when needed. They also help strengthen community bonds, foster a sense of solidarity, empower women with financial inclusion, and enable further Income Generating Activities.

INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES

In addition to VSLAs, Cents for Seeds participants are encouraged to work together in small groups of around 30 women on projects designed to provide additional income for their community. Income Generating Activities (IGAs), such as animal husbandry, help communities become more resilient to economic shocks and environmental changes, providing a more stable and predictable source of income. IGAs play a vital role in enhancing economic stability, improving quality of life, and fostering sustainable development.

Love Mercy 2023 Impact Report