The Yumbe Challenge is an inspiring example of how Rotary-led Community Economic Development (CED) initiatives are transforming local economies—one Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) at a time. Thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne and three of its members, two Ugandan villages are already well on their way to establishing permanent sources of affordable credit for local entrepreneurs.
In many rural communities, subsistence farmers, market vendors, and seamstresses need occasional loans to sustain and grow their small businesses—just like any small business owner in developed countries. However, affordable loans of USD 300 or less are rarely available through traditional banks.
The Yumbe Challenge addresses this service gap by inviting Rotary clubs in the U.S. to contribute USD 1,500, enabling VSLA members in Uganda to build sustainable loan pools, with a local Rotary club acting as fiscal agent and mentor.
The Yumbe Challenge addresses this service gap by inviting Rotary clubs in the U.S. to contribute USD 1,500, enabling VSLA members in Uganda to build sustainable loan pools, with a local Rotary club acting as fiscal agent and mentor.
In January, the Rotary Club of Kampala-Maisha began mentoring two VSLA groups and has since added two more. Each VSLA begins with USD 1,500 of its own capital, and—after demonstrating good results through monthly reports—receives two additional USD 1,500 allocations. The long-term goal is to establish a permanent loan fund that can provide two annual loans of USD 300 for each of the 30 VSLA members.
The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne has already funded three such allocations, and the team is now seeking similar USD 1,500 contributions from five additional Rotary clubs. Interested clubs are invited to join a one-time virtual presentation, hosted by the Key Biscayne Rotary Club and featuring Robert Odedo from Rotary District 9213 (Maisha Club), on Friday, 14 November 2025.
In addition, the Rotary Club of Yumbe—which inspired the Yumbe Challenge—meets every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and welcomes Zoom participants from around the world.
In addition, the Rotary Club of Yumbe—which inspired the Yumbe Challenge—meets every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and welcomes Zoom participants from around the world.
In June 2025, 261 members (10%) of the participating VSLA groups in Yumbe were interviewed to assess the project’s impact. The survey results show a strong and growing demand for affordable capital, with several borrowers now in need of larger loans (USD 1,000 or more) in order to expand their businesses.
To address this, fiscal agent partners have created new loan pools using earnings from their TCP Global programs, while also working to open access to the formal banking sector.
To address this, fiscal agent partners have created new loan pools using earnings from their TCP Global programs, while also working to open access to the formal banking sector.
Transparency remains a core value—VSLA meetings are held monthly, with all members present to witness both the repayment of existing loans and the disbursement of new ones.
As Helene Dudley (TCP Global, President) notes:
“There are endless ripple effects of investing in marginalized entrepreneurs. Once people, mostly women, no longer need all their problem-solving skills to stay alive, they turn those skills to improving their lot and improving their communities. They run for local offices. They participate more fully in school meetings. They send their kids to college. They hire other people. The Yumbe women formed a Rotary club specifically to give back, with ‘Caring for Humanity’ emblazoned on the back of their Rotary shirts. They have adopted villages to improve water and sanitation and reduce instances of malaria and diarrhea. We should abandon the idea that we need to ‘fix’ poor people and learn that instead, we need to fix the ‘system’ that places obstacles in their path, preventing them from achieving their potential… Entrepreneurs are change-makers capable of showing the way for others in their communities.”
With its clear structure, measurable results, and powerful ripple effects, the Yumbe Challenge offers Rotary clubs a meaningful way to support sustainable economic development—while directly empowering the entrepreneurs and communities who are best positioned to create lasting change.