At 22STARS Foundation, we believe that the best way to fight poverty is not by creating dependency, but by creating opportunity.

That is why, alongside education and nutrition for children, we also invest in the parents and caregivers in our communities. Through our Small Business Loan Program, families receive affordable loans, practical support and mentoring, allowing them to build sustainable businesses and provide for their children with dignity.

Today, we would love to introduce you to five incredible entrepreneurs whose determination and hard work are changing lives every single day.

Hajala Namatovu – Growing More Than Just Vegetables

When we recently visited Hajala, her market stall was overflowing with fresh tomatoes, onions, eggplants, peppers, rice, flour and many other products.

Using her loan, Hajala was able to officially rent a stall in Danida Market for an entire year and significantly expand her stock. She now serves both retail and wholesale customers and even supplies a nearby primary school with fresh produce.

What started as a small vegetable business has become a reliable source of income for her family.

Every customer who visits her stall brings her one step closer to financial independence.

Irene Irama – Fashion That Builds Confidence

Irene owns a boutique selling first-hand clothing in Danida.

With her business loan she travelled to Kampala to purchase new stock, invested in transport for the goods and even bought display mannequins to present her clothing professionally.

The difference is immediately visible.

Her shop now offers a wider variety of fashionable, high-quality clothing, attracting more customers and increasing her income.

Doreen Namuganza – Expanding Her Hair Salon

Doreen has built her own salon through years of dedication.

Her latest loan allowed her to purchase a professional hair dryer, braids, shampoos, sprays and other essential products.

Today she can offer many more hairstyles and better serve customers looking for higher-quality treatments.

Small investments like these can completely transform a business.

Ruth Nandego – Sewing a Better Future

Ruth is a trained fashion designer and tailor.

With her loan she invested in new fabrics, allowing her to produce school uniforms before orders even arrive.

This means schools no longer have to wait weeks for uniforms, making Ruth a trusted supplier for several local schools.

Having stock available has strengthened her reputation, increased sales and given her business much greater stability.

Eva Nazula – Turning Clay Into Opportunity

Eva earns her living by making bricks.

Before receiving her loan, she had already moulded 10,000 raw bricks but lacked the money to buy enough firewood to fire them.

Her loan changed that.

She purchased the firewood, paid the workers involved in the firing process and transformed the raw bricks into finished bricks worth three times as much.

Their value increased from 100 UGX to 300 UGX per brick, creating the profit needed to continue growing her business while repaying the loan.

Small Loans. Big Impact.

When people think about charity, they often imagine giving food or clothes.

While emergency support is sometimes necessary, lasting change happens when families can generate their own income.

A relatively small business loan can mean:

A vegetable seller renting a permanent market stall.

• A tailor supplying multiple schools.
• A salon serving more customers.
• A boutique expanding its collection.
• A brick maker tripling the value of her products.
• These businesses not only support the entrepreneurs themselves but also help pay school fees, buy nutritious food, cover medical expenses and create opportunities for the next generation.

That is the kind of impact we strive for every day.

Thank You

We are incredibly proud of these entrepreneurs and grateful to everyone who supports the work of the 22STARS Foundation.

Because of your generosity, families are not simply receiving help—they are building businesses, creating jobs and becoming more self-reliant.

Together, we are proving that sustainable development starts with believing in people's potential.

Would you like to support another entrepreneur?

Your donation can help provide the next small business loan, giving another family the opportunity to build a brighter future through hard work and entrepreneurship.