SUCCESS STORY: From Grief to Growth – Joyce Dousa’s Journey to Self-Reliance.
From Displacement to Dignity: Regina’s Journey Through Savings
In refugee settlements in Northern Uganda, we have learned something powerful:
When women rise, communities rebuild.
This International Women's Day, CRESS AFRICA Foundation celebrates the extraordinary women who make our work possible.
Women who save together.
Women who lead.
Women who refuse to let displacement define their future.
Across Rhino Camp and Imvepi refugee settlements, refugee women in our Community Savings and Credit Groups (CSCGs) are doing something remarkable.
They are saving small amounts every week.
Supporting one another through loans.
Starting businesses.
Paying school fees for their children.
In 2025 alone:
• UGX 1.58 billion saved by CSCG members
• 8,366 loans worth UGX 702 million supported small businesses
• 79% of these loans accessed by women
These women are building what we call Model Families — households moving from survival to self-reliance and dignity.
But today we also honour a woman whose leadership has shaped this journey.
For more than 15 years, Caroline Lamb, Founder & CEO, CRESS UK has faithfully served refugee communities in Northern Uganda.
Long before CRESS AFRICA Foundation was established, she was already standing with vulnerable families, supporting education, healing trauma, and restoring hope.
Her vision and compassion helped inspire the work we continue today.
To many of us in CAF, she is more than a partner.
She has been a mentor.
A guide.
And a mother figure to the organisation.
Today we also celebrate:
• Our female staff and volunteers serving communities every day
• The girls and young women in our programs
• And the incredible refugee women whose resilience inspires us daily
Your courage is rebuilding communities.
Your leadership is creating the future.
Happy International Women's Day to the women who prove every day that empowered women transform the world.
