UCF
The Umoja Community Foundation (UCF) microfinance program is the access to the UCF bank account, provided to refugees who are earning additional income in markets, so they can safely save their money. Savings are made for important family items such as educational costs. Otherwise, the small income can readily be lost to daily expenditure.
UCF takes a commission on the savings which goes toward an income for the team member who collects and accounts for the savings, and provides a small capital for honouring community support e.g. funerals.
The savings program currently has 160 members and is growing regularly. It is hoped that the program can develop into a robust microfinance institution over time, enhancing the capacity of refugees to grow business.