Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative (ROM) integrates economic empowerment as a core pillar of its health and social programming, recognizing that sustainable health outcomes are inseparable from financial stability and household resilience. Economic empowerment initiatives target vulnerable populations, especially women, youth, caregivers, and households affected by HIV and poverty, with the goal of improving financial independence, reducing vulnerability, and strengthening community systems of care. Since 2010, ROM has implemented Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and Youth
Savings and Loan Associations (YSLAs) as powerful platforms for household financial growth and community solidarity. To date, more than 94,500 individuals have benefited, mobilizing cumulative savings of UGX 19,934,653,200. These groups not only enhance savings and access to micro-credit but also serve as vehicles for HIV prevention education, parenting skills, and referrals to health and social services.
Members use savings to pay school fees, cover medical costs, start small businesses, and cushion their families against shocks.
Youth-focused initiatives combine financial literacy with vocational and entrepreneurship skills training, apprenticeships, and soft skills development. Young mothers and adolescent girls receive tailored skilling in business start-up, digital literacy, crafts, tailoring, agribusiness, and other trades that allow them to generate income while balancing caregiving responsibilities. ROM’s economic empowerment programs
emphasize practical application, mentoring, and market linkages to ensure youth and women transition from dependence to self-sufficiency. ROM has developed strategic partnerships with banks and microfinance
institutions to link mature VSLA and YSLA groups to formal financial systems, expanding access to credit and savings opportunities. These linkages empower community groups to scale businesses, invest in housing, and diversify livelihoods. In addition, ROM supports households with backyard gardens, nutrition projects, and revolving funds to strengthen food security and household income while reducing health
vulnerabilities.