The people in Mama Jesca's neighborhood say, "She is a good saleswoman and speaks so sweetly that she attracts many customers. Everyone goes to her for the things they need."

She started her business by selling fruit in a school yard to supplement her husband's income. As they struggled to make ends meet, she heard about a loan program called Christian Action for Empowering Church and Community or CAFECC (PEER Servants' Partner in Sudan/Uganda) and she took her first loan to buy and sell fish. The fish business went well, she was able to pay off the loan and take a 2nd larger one. With this she started a small retail store where she employed one person. A 3rd loan allowed her to buy fish along the Nile River and sell in more locations. Her 4th loan purchased animals including a cow, two goats and two chickens. With the revenue from that, she is building an iron roofed house which she plans to rent out to generate more income.

The staff of CAFECC say that Mama Jesca comes to give rather than to receive. She helps the organization provide business training for new people who apply for loans. She tells them that hard work and honesty are required for small businesses to grow. And she says that the secret to her success is that God is the owner of her business. She is only a steward.

Did you know:

• Uganda's Gross National Income per capita is US $280 annually or $23 monthly. That is less than 1% of the US. (World Bank, 2006)
• 95% of Ugandans live on less than $2 a day.
• Life expectancy is 46 years for men and 47 years for women. (UN)