At 20 years, Doreen Nakabonge from lively Katoogo, Mbuya is proving how small, steady steps can rewrite a future. Growing up in a family of six, raised by a single mother after her father passed, Doreen completed Senior Four in 2021 and put school on hold so her younger siblings could continue. What she didn’t pause was her ambition.

Savings gave me discipline and confidence. I stopped doubting myself and started planning. When SHE SOARS came to Katoogo with the village women representative, Doreen learned about SRHR and the power of saving with a plan. She joined The Winners—a Youth Savings and Loan Association (YSLA) of 20 members—and completed Selection, Planning & Management (SPM) training to start and manage a micro-business.

No fridge, no frills—just focus. With her savings, Doreen skipped the impulse buys and launched a refreshments business: soda, bottled water, yoghurt, passion fruit juice, ice, and boiled pineapple peel juice (omunanansi).

On a good day, she makes up to UGX 15,000 in sales, tracking every coin with simple bookkeeping—what’s borrowed, what’s lent, what’s reinvested.

The results have been real and personal. She now covers her basic needs (pads, shoes), contributes to her savings group, and speaks up with newfound confidence and assertiveness. In November 2025, she stepped into a bigger role—Community-Based Trainer (CBT) at Reach Out Mbuya under SHE SOARS—returning to youth groups formed by peer educators to mentor others in saving, independence, and SPM-based business skills.

I mentor from experience—save first, plan smart, then grow.

Next stop: Boss-Lady energy. Doreen is mapping her next venture: a shop selling electronics essentials (cables, wires, extension cords, protective gear for installers). She spotted a clear market gap in her community—thanks to SPM’s business identification tools—and is saving toward start-up stock.

Thank you to ROM and the SHE SOARS project for bringing financial literacy to our community. It changed my life completely.”