In 2013, the Bright Kids Enterprises Micro Loan Project was started, with the primary objective of helping struggling families invest in small businesses. Last year, members of the Rotary Club of Warren were provided with the opportunity to view a documentary about gender gender violence in Uganda. It was so compelling that our Club became involved in the international micro loan project.

Dr. Bipin Pat Bipin Patel, who grew up in Uganda, became our financial partner. His Club and three others have generously donated funding. Louis Picard and his wife, Pauline Greenlick, both successful educators in Pennsylvania, have also been avid supporters of Victoria’s work. Dr. Picard spent three years in Uganda with the Peace Corps, where he met Manuel Pinto. Since learning about Bright Kids, they have assisted in administering the micro loan program. Pauline Greenlick created the ASA Social Fund for Hidden Peoples, which offers support to children with special needs and gender violence survivors, and has produced films to raise awareness of these families and Victoria’s work. They have been instrumental in helping the Rotary Club of Warren and the Rotary Club of Kampala to formalize a proposal for a Global Grant in support of of the micro loan project.

On October 11th, Victoria, Pauline, and Mariah Fosnight, an intern at the University of Pittsburgh, visited with us and provided an update on the microloan program. Mariah has been to to Uganda twice since 2015. She reported that in May of this year, a training curriculum was piloted in Entebbe. Participants were were taught the difference between profit and revenue, simple accounting and marketing skills, and information about savings and investments. They learned about the strengths and weaknesses of their businesses. This valuable education was provided to ensure success and a higher rate of repayment on their microloans. Victoria indicated that since her visit to our Club last year, 10 survivors have accessed microloans to make and sell crafts/baskets. A hospital is being built to provide medical care to gender violence survivors. In addition, a bill has has been drafted and presented to Parliament, advocating for protection of these women.

In closing, when speaking about her partnership with and support from Rotary, Victoria said, “Every little bit makes a difference. Together, we can make a difference.” Individual donations can be made to our Uganda micro loan project. project. In addition, you can make a difference by purchasing Bright Kids Uganda merchandise. There are 178 items items available for sale, including baskets, shoes, a traditional African Kente Cl African Kente Cloth (scarf), totes, sculptures, purses, jewelry, and more.