My name is Akello Scovia and I am 33 years old. I am a resident of Amukugungu village.
I came to know about Ignite Change when we were mobilized to come together under a group by our mentor. Under that group, they called the young mothers and orphans. So, we came together under a group that we named Oribcing Women’s Group in Ocini Parish, Kamdini Sub-County.
They started mentoring us on how best we can make money and save, however little it is, then develop from it. We were taught different business ideas and were encouraged to start saving under our group.
After completing the mentorship, I was motivated to start an income generating activity. So, I decided to start rearing chicken. I started by rearing 2 hens and a rooster. I kept them well, both hens laid eggs and the number increased at once to 32.
Scovia with her chickens
The Ignite Change mentor continued visiting me and I was advised to borrow money from our savings group and buy more chicken. I borrowed 100,000 shillings ($27.40) from the savings group and bought more chicks. A few died, but I managed most of them well.
After just less than 6 months, I realized a massive increase in the number of my chickens and as I talk now I have over 100 birds.
House for chickens to sleep in at night
I am now living a better life because at least I am earning from my birds. On a weekly basis, I make a sale of about 3 trays of eggs, each tray going at 13,000/=. I get over 39,000/= ($10.70) every week, something I never dreamt of achieving before.
All my 5 children are now happily sustainable and able to go to school. I am supporting them financially in their quest for better education. But previously, they were not all going to school.
By the end of this year, I am planning to make huge sales from the chicken and buy oxen to help me with agriculture so that I am able to do both planting and livestock agriculture.
Scovia with one of her goats she bought from her chickens
As of now , I am greatly impressed and I am happy that I am able to venture into other business opportunities. I have bought some goats and I have started rearing them. Slowly I believe I will buy more and they will increase in number just like the chicken has. In fact life has never been the same after I was taught and mentored, I foresee much more achievements in the future