Nalumunye, Uganda –Before change takes root in policies or programs, it begins with conversation. In Nalumunye, where ambition often collides with adversity, a group of determined youth gathered—not to complain, but to confront hard truths. Their goal was both simple and urgent: to understand the roots of poverty in their lives and begin building the mindset and tools needed to rise above it.
The meeting, chaired by Mr. Lugoloobi Robert, was more than a discussion—it was a capacity-building session aimed at reshaping how young people see their financial reality. The youths of Nalumunye didn’t come seeking handouts. They came with questions, ideas, and the hunger to change their story.
The Hard Questions: What’s Holding Us Back?
During the session, participants examined the complex barriers keeping them trapped in poverty. Education gaps stood out as a major challenge—many youths lack the formal training or financial literacy to recognize and seize economic opportunities. Unemployment and the prevalence of informal work created unstable incomes, making long-term planning difficult.
Moreover, many admitted to being comfortable with the “bare minimum,” a mindset shaped by survival habits rather than growth ambitions. Cultural expectations and family responsibilities also weigh heavily, often forcing youth to prioritize immediate needs over saving or investing.
“We realized that poverty isn’t just about lacking money,” one participant noted. “It’s about lacking the vision and support to plan beyond tomorrow.”
The Saving Struggle: Culture vs Capacity
Saving money is a critical step toward financial freedom, yet it remains a daunting challenge for most youth in Nalumunye. Irregular income streams and competing responsibilities make consistent saving nearly impossible. Beyond that, a lack of awareness about how saving leads to opportunities stifles motivation.
The group explored ideas like forming savings groups and peer support circles, recognizing that accountability and shared goals could strengthen their saving culture. They also discussed how small savings could be invested in skills training or small businesses, turning money saved into income-generating assets.
Shifting the Mindset: From Passive to Purposeful
A significant breakthrough was acknowledging that financial empowerment begins with a mindset shift. Many youth felt stuck—not from lack of desire but because they had never been shown a path beyond survival.
The group emphasized that to change their financial future, they must first change their thinking. This idea was captured in a powerful quote shared during the session:
“To have something you’ve never had, you need to do something you’ve never done.”
Youth-Led Solutions: Planting Seeds in Nalumunye
The youths did not stop at identifying problems—they brainstormed practical solutions that could be led by the community itself
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