Mid North PSDC wishes to thank the management of WENIPS for the support extended so far.

The baseline is that the economy of mid north area is returning to full throtle after more than 10 years of the armed conflict which saw many people being forced out of their farmlands to Internally Displaced peoples camps. Rural Households are unable to afford the main power grid. However, there are increased use of mini solar panels for productive uses such as mobile phone charging. The cost of acquiring solar panels are still prohibitive. There are no private suppliers of solar panels in the area nor are there any financing mechanism in place.

The team then proceeded to visit Centenary Rural Development Bank Branch in Lira and the new Uganda Microfinance Limited based on the recommendation of Mid North. All in all, a small pilot project is foreseen in 2009 after an MOU is signed betwee Mid north and GTZ on the subject.

SUSTAIN II aims to provide access to financial services through Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) to 100,000 people through 300 VSLAs by 2010. The project value is Shs194,000,000. The duration of the project is two years beginning May 2008 ending June 2010.

The project focuses on village level savings and credit associations. A total of 18 sub counties shall be targeted i.e. 14 in Lira and 4 in Oyam. The project has employed 2 Supervisors and 18 Community Based Trainers/Advisors. The 18 Advisers live and work in the sub counties.

In Lira, the sub counties being targeted are Orum, Adwari, Okwang, Olilim, Aromo, Ogur, Amac, Barr, Railways, Abako, Aloi, Apala, Omoro and Amugo.

While in Oyam District two sub counties to be targeted are Minakullu, Iceme, Ngai and Otwal.

Major Activities:

• Mobilization and awareness meetings for district local leaders and communities.
• Recruitment of staff and CBTS.
• Training of Trainers for project staff and CBTs.
• Mobilization, formation and training of VSLAs.
• Monitoring and follow up of groups.
• Data collection, documentation and dissemination.
• Exchange visits for both project staff and groups.