BUWEA - Bukoba Women's Empowerment Association
BUWEA Main Features
Mission and Vision:
The long-term goal of Bukoba Women’s Empowerment Association is to raise the economic status of women in the area of Bukoba District of Kagera Region, Tanzania. In order to reach this goal, we organize members in small advisory economic gro
ups and provide access to small interest loans and savings accounts to build income-generating businesses mainly in crop development and animal husbandry. In order to help members expand their businesses and sustain the revolving loan fund, BUWEA also offers skill-building workshops on raising livestock and farming techniques and business planning and marketing. BUWEA’S main objective is to eradicate poverty and improve the standard of living of women in remote areas by supporting their economic projects and through the provision of skill building seminars and resources for members engaging in agricultural development.
The BUWEA group began under the name of the St. Cecilia group. The St. Cecilia group was started in 1996 as a group of 10 women, neighbors, and friends meeting once a week to seek prayer and wisdom regarding the poverty of women in rural Tanzania.
After time, the group saw that prayer is not a direct solution to poverty, so the group members began the Mary-Go-Round, in which each member contributed $10 u.s.d. a month. 
The collective $100 u.s.d. went to one member to allow her to develop and grow her home-based business of animal husbandry, crop production, basket weaving, and more. By taking turns, all 10 members were able to support their businesses.
After receiving funds from a granting foundation, The Mary-Go-Round came under the name of the Revolving Loan Fund and the St. Cecilia group extended their work with leaders of similar women’s groups from their home villages. Small groups of women from the different villages from the K
agera Region grew the St. Cecilia group. In 2004 the St. Cecilia group first applied for status as a registered non-profit organization, and after approval, changed the name to Bukoba Women’s Empowerment Association.
BUWEA member is wrapping sardines in banana sheaths to sell in her village. Fish is a very important source of protein.
Quik Stats:
Today, the group is comprised of 27 small groups with a total of 150 members. Approximately half of the members of BUWEA are over 50 years of age. All 150 members have savings accounts with a local farmer’s bank. The amount of savings a member has determines how large of a loan she can take from the Revolving Loan Fund.
BUWEA Video:
In July 2010, one of BUWEA's current grantors, the Flora Family Foundation, based out of California, offered an opportunity for all grant recipients to generate publicity and donations for their work with Tanzanian women by submitting a program video. Above is an outline of all BUWEA programs.
Sponsorship Opportunities
BUWEA is a recipient of the Alternative Gift Program offered by Women's Global Connection which provides gifts of livestock, such as chickens, pigs, and goats to women involved in farming and animal husbandry.
Read Rachel's story. She's an entrepreur who started her business with a dozen hens and was able to grow her business thanks to a generous animal gift of three dozen hens. She mpw has over 340 chickens and is able to sell over 100 eggs per day to support herself, her orphaned nieces, and pay college tuition for herself. She will graduate next year with a bachelor's degree in legal studies.
Our Global Business Partner's Program unites business professional and others who donate $200 with entrepreneurs in a developing country. These partnerships help recipients support their ongoing micro-business.
See potential partners and their stories here.
Grantors: Flora Family Foundation, Microfinance Partners in Africa, and U.S. Embassy
Over the past couple of years BUWEA has received wide acknowlegement for their work in the community. They have also received grants and technical support from both local and international non-profit organizations. Click here to see the list of partnerships.
Soy
BUWEA operates a commercial farm on a 50-acre plot of land, where they harvest soy beans, which are later processed into soy flour, soy oatmeal, and soy milk products. 
Consumption of soy products can help to alleviate malnourishment because it is chemically stronger in protein and iron than other local foods and vegetables, it fights malnutrition and HIV/AID’s by preventing strengthening the immune system, and is much more accessible in price compared to meat and fish. Read more...
