For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life – bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale – Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa.
-Winston Churchill, My African Journey

Over the past 5 years, the Ugandan economy has grown at a robust average of almost 8% per year. Many, however, have not felt the benefits of this economic gain. Only 38% of Ugandans have access to financial services, with that number dropping significantly among rural women. This economy shows much promise, but the poor of the country are not given a fair chance to join in.

35% of Ugandans live in complete poverty. They must go without healthcare, education, reliable meals, and convenient access to (sometimes) clean water.

Women seem to be hit hardest in these disadvantaged situations:

• Two out of every three girls will not complete all 4 years of secondary education.
• Less than 65% percent of women in Uganda are literate.
• 63 out of every 1,000 Ugandan babies born will die by their first birthday, compared to 7 out of every 1,000 in the United States. It jumps to almost 100 out of every 1,000 by the child’s 5th birthday.
• 430 out of every 100,000 Ugandan mothers die as a result of pregnancy each year, compared to 12 out of every 100,000 in the United States.

Ugandan women have the odds stacked against them. umama exists to level the playing field. These women are strong, capable, and determined to pull themselves and their families out of poverty. With the right resources, they will do just that.