Mary Lalam

After receiving our most recent transfer of funds to Life in Africa from Kiva, Mary Lalam's loan was disbursed last Wednesday at the Life in Africa WE Center in Kampala. There are a few pictures of the group on disbursal day online if Kiva lenders would like to see @ flickr.com/photos/lifeinafrica/sets/72057594112504869

On behalf of the LiA community, thank you for supporting Mary. Keep up to date on some of her other activities at lifeinafrica.com/4/lalammary

Christina Kirabo @ lifeinafrica.com

 

Owning a house is such a good thing, Mary now has no pressure from the landlord and she is now saving for an other business. thank you Kiva!

Mary Lalam has been paying her loan well for the first six months until she encountered a problem when her nephew was arrested and she had to pay lots of money to get him released that destabilized her and was unable to pay back in time for at least a month. However she is now back on track and paying well.

We wish Mary a happy and comfortable life her new house.

Mary is a 25 year old caring for three children and two dependents. Most of her Kiva loan was allocated to the construction of a family home in the Acholi Quarters (an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Kampala). The remaining money was spent on school fees, enabling her children to continue their education. Managing and overseeing the workers has posed the greatest challenge to her construction project. Once they are paid workers will often disappear before the labor is complete. Mary contemplated building her home back in her northern village. She ultimately did not want to take the risk until it becomes certain that rebel activities have fully ceased. Mary has slept in the bush to escape abduction and does not want to expose her children to similar insecurity.

Mary’s greatest accomplishment is financing her children’s educations. She earns a living preparing materials for the Invisible Children Bracelet Campaign. Lacking formal schooling herself, she hopes that a good education will provide her family with many opportunities in the future.

Mary is pictured here outside of the Invisible Children Bracelet Campaign office where she works during the week to supplement income earned from her small business. Mary would like to thank the Kiva lenders for their support!