Shanti Uganda's Women's Income Generating Group (WIGG) is made up of 12 HIV positive grandmothers in Luweero District. Historically, members successfully worked in textile and beading groups to create artisanal products that were sold at fair-trade prices in international markets. Beginning in 2017 the women will partake in business formation training courses to help them focus on creating their own businesses which will allow them to forge sustainable paths to future stability and success.
Women living with HIV/AIDS face a specific set of challenges including lack of support, poverty, single-parenthood, stigmatization and disrupted daily routines due to frequent illness.
By providing monthly workshops on business formation, vocational skills and financial literacy, the Women's Income Generating Group empowers women living with HIV/AIDS to start their own businesses. In addition to practical skills training, the WIGG members also receive invaluable moral and emotional support from the Shanti Uganda community and each other. As important members of the Shanti Uganda family, they also participate in community workshops.
The impact of these newly created businesses will be many: for many of the members, these sustainable businesses will mean a growth in income which will help them pay for necessary household items, school fees for their children and grandchildren and importantly, stable livelihoods for themselves and future generations.
