The Alliance for Christians in Development (ACID) Trust, a non-governmental development organization based in Uganda which, among other projects, provides microfinance services to rural women and youth, will be extending micro loans to parents who cannot afford to pay their children’s school fees. Typically, fees cost about USD 35 per term. A September 2006 report (pg 4) by Save the Children indicated that 1.1 million primary-aged children in Uganda are out of school, the majority because they cannot afford uniforms, books, and basic supplies. Under ACID Trust’s program, the plan is that parents will borrow from the trust interest-free, invest the money to make a profit, pay back the loan and save the remainder to put toward their children’s education. Funds are not only available to parents, but to children–specifically the large population of orphans in the country.
ACID began as an HIV/AIDS NGO over 20 years ago but transformed into a micro credit provider under the stewardship of Chief Director and founder Pastor Aaron Siribaleka. ACID’s development projects now include two savings bureaus–the Education Savings Bureau and the Medical Savings Bureau, an agricultural production program, a housing project, a savings and credit venture and the newly-established computer development centers. According to Mr. Siribaleka, ACID has branches in seven countries: Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Tanzania and the United States. At this time, no financial information is available for either the Alliance for Christians in Development or the US chapter, known as American Christians in Development.
Additional Resources:
AllAfrica.com: “Uganda: Poor Parents to Get Loans.” By Joseph Olanyo.
Alliance for Christians in Development (ACID) Trust
Alliance for Christians in Development (ACID) Trust: “Objectives”
Save the Children: “Rewrite the Future: Education for Children in Conflict-Affected Countries, September 2006”
Uganda Village Project: Scholarship Fund
Civil G8: “Christians Plot Against Poverty”
AllAfrica.com: “Uganda: They Raise School Fees By Roasting Maize.” By Alfred Byenkya:
BBC News: “Ugandans Desperately Seeking Education.” By Nicki Stoker
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