Juru Peresis’ Success Story – From Displacement to Sustainable Livelihood

Juru Peresi left South Sudan in 2016 following the outbreak of civil war and sought refuge in Uganda with her family. They settled in Mijale hoping to rebuild their lives in safety. Like many refugee families, Juru faced significant challenges in meeting basic needs, including food, healthcare, and education for her six children, due to limited income opportunities in a new environment.
A turning point came when Juru learned about Sadia A Community Savings and Credit Group (CSCG) supported by CRESS Africa Foundation (CAF), from a friend. She joined the group to strengthen her financial stability through regular savings and support. Participation in the CSCG helped Juru build financial discipline, confidence, and a clear plan for improving her household’s wellbeing.

In 2024, Juru saved UGX 850,000, which she received during the CSCG share-out at the end of the savings cycle. She invested UGX 400,000 of this amount in a layer poultry business, starting with 30 birds. Despite losing 5, 25 birds survived and began laying eggs, providing Juru with a steady income to support her family and maintain consistent savings.

In 2025, Juru sold the layer birds and earned UGX 1,600,000, which she planned to reinvest in a more sustainable income-generating activity. In the same year, her continued commitment to saving enabled her to accumulate UGX 1,560,000, received at the end of the CSCG cycle.
By combining her savings and business income, Juru invested UGX 4,000,000 in a paste grinding machine. This investment was driven by strong local demand, as Mijale center serves a large population with limited access to such services. The business now provides Juru with a reliable income to support her ongoing savings, and improves her family’s living conditions.

Looking ahead to 2026, Juru aims to save towards building a permanent house for her family. Her story highlights the role of CSCGs in empowering refugee women to transition from dependency to self-reliance through savings-led entrepreneurship.