Dear friends and supporters of WC4GU:

March 8 is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is “Give to Gain”. According to IWD organizers, “when people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it's intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.”

Jackie’s project, WC4GU, embodies this theme and from day 1, she has created tangible empowerment opportunities and support for the women of her village. She sees the results and appreciates the enormous support that this GoFundMe campaign has provided.

One year since WC4GU and so much has happened! As a project designed to lift women out of poverty, teach financial literacy and empower each one to support their families and their communities, it has proved to be a rousing success.

Last summer, the first group of 12 women received 240 chicks and the village poultry project began. Within a few months, the chickens stopped laying and the women decided to sell them as meat birds so that they could make more money. Each woman brought another to join the group, expanding their numbers to 24. They used their profits to buy 540 chicks and these hens are now laying. These hens are also laying and meat birds. The next group of chicks will be 900 Kuroiler hens that only lay eggs. Amazing progress and learning in just 1 year.

Each of the women in this budding collective supports her partners and the community is building a grassroots success story, one chicken at a time. The village is very poor. Houses are made of mud. When 1 woman’s dwelling could not be fixed any more, the women and their families built her a new house.

Another great challenge for the village is the daily struggle with the lack of firewood because much of Ugandan wood has been harvested or clearcut. Planting trees is not just about the environment, it is about food, dignity, and supporting families. Without firewood, there is no cooked food for the family. Within the next year, Jackie will ensure that the women and their families plant upwards of 5000 trees.

Please note: while the work of WC4GU continues, this campaign closes on March 31st, 2026. If you wish to make a final contribution to WC4GU before then, the project will receive your gifts in gratitude and thanks.