Makula Group: A Case Study in Collaborative Work Culture and Income Growth
18 October 2024 | Alexandria NAbayinda | Unbound Benefits of ALE In Africa
Uganda
Makula Group: A Case Study in Collaborative Work Culture and Income Growth
In Butiti village, Uganda, a group of twelve individuals known as the Makula Group are demonstrating the power of collaborative work culture to improve incomes and livelihoods. Emerging from the Toggwamussuubi ICOLEW Community Empowerment Group (CEG), the Makula Group consists of eight women and four men, all sponsored members striving for economic empowerment. Recognising low income as a significant obstacle to their development, the group decided to establish economic activities to diversify income sources.
Limited capital posed a challenge to starting new ventures. To overcome this, the group decided to work collectively, pooling their resources through regular savings. This approach proved successful, allowing them to raise their starting capital of 120,000 shillings in just three months.
The Makula Group, with support from the Unbound programme, received training in soap making and business record keeping. Leveraging this knowledge and the growing demand for soap, they launched a bar soap project in August 2023. Unbound also provided input support, further boosting their production and profits.
The impact of their collective effort is evident in the project's growth. In just six months, their soap production has increased from 9 to 50 bars, and profits surged from 4,500 to 90,000 shillings. The group's vision extends far beyond their current success. They aim to establish a structured soap company that can supply 1,000 households weekly with bar soap, powder soap, and liquid soap by 2026. To achieve this ambitious goal, they plan to refine their packaging skills, purchase materials in bulk, and acquire a soap-making machine.
The Makula Group's story highlights how collaborative work culture can positively influence the incomes of sponsored households. Their journey demonstrates that by working together, individuals can overcome financial barriers, acquire valuable skills, and establish sustainable income-generating activities. The group's commitment to collective saving, shared learning, and a common vision has not only improved their economic well-being, but also fostered a sense of community and empowerment. Their experience serves as an inspiring example for other communities seeking to create pathways out of poverty through collaboration and entrepreneurship.
The government and other stakeholders should scale up the training of vocational skills and empower communities through ICOLEW to mobilize resources together to start small scale business as one way of eliminating poverty.