Rural Microfinance Initiative

Around the world, more than one billion people are living in poverty. Food insecurity, illiteracy, income inequality, and poor healthcare, are challenges that many people face daily and often impact women and children more than men. This is especially true in developing countries such as Uganda and rural areas where there are fewer income-earning opportunities, fewer education options, and little access to capital.

About 85 percent of Uganda’s population lives in rural areas and the vast majority still live below the national rural poverty line. These villagers want to do more than survive—they want to thrive and prosper. But, the opportunities aren’t always available. In most cases, people living in rural areas often lack access to good schools. They survive off the land, cutting down trees in critical wildlife habitats for fuel and engaging in slash-and-burn agriculture for food. Many locals also see wildlife as a threat to their current livelihoods, eating crops and attacking livestock. As a result, people often have no sympathy for wildlife. Instead, wildlife is seen as a nuisance and even competition for resources.

Africa Sustainable Tourism Care Foundation is improving the lives of local people, helping their communities, and saving wildlife simultaneously. We work directly with communities to understand the obstacles they face and provide solutions specific to their needs. These solutions provide jobs, conservation training, educational opportunities, and, ultimately, the ability for people to better their own lives.