Susan Ajalo, a resident of Ajesai ward in Obalanga Town Council, Kapelebyong district, dedicated herself to multiplying the UGX 1 million she received from the Parish Development Model (PDM). During the financial year 2022/2023, Ajalo became a beneficiary of the PDM, obtaining the sum from the parish revolving fund. Armed with essential training in cattle rearing (her selected venture), Ajalo set forth on a transformative journey.
According to Ajalo, instead of investing directly in cattle, she decided to use the funds to produce and sell bricks, with the initial investment yielding UGX 3 million from brick sales alone. Undeterred by success, Ajalo reinvested in bricklaying, doubling her returns to UGX 6 million. With this, she wisely purchased four heifers, two of which have already given birth.
“After selling the first lot of bricks, I reinvested in bricklaying for the second time, and I got UGX 6 million. I used part of this money to buy four heifers, and two of these heifers have already produced calves,” she said.
Ajalo proudly noted that her initial UGX 1 million has now multiplied to UGX 6.2 million within a year. With this, Ajalo’s household livelihood has significantly improved, as evident in the milk she harvests daily from her cows, which she sells to meet various household needs.
“I now get milk from my cows, and I can sell some of it to sort out household demands,” Ajalo said.
The beneficiary credited the PDM initiative for transforming her life and expressed gratitude to the Ugandan government for its support. Looking ahead, she plans to expand her cattle rearing project, aiming to tap into the lucrative milk market.
Kapelebyong district, facing a 49% poverty rate, has seen a significant impact from PDM. With 55 PDM Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOS) each receiving UGX 100 Million in FY2022/2023, many beneficiaries like Ajalo are thriving in agricultural enterprises, both in crops and animal husbandry.
The Story was written by Emmanuel Opio (Communication Officer for Kapelebyong District Local Government)
