Jonah is an inspiration. Once the proprietor of a small restaurant on Buhoma’s main street – the Kyirahuura Bwindi Hotel, she is now the proud owner of the only community grocery shop in her village of Nyakatore, just around the corner.

Evace Kemirembe is an experienced market-stall holder in the community of Buhoma, with a regular and large customer base who visit daily to buy their food supplies.

Recently, Edith Tukahirwa, Buhoma resident, received a loan of 1 million Ugandan shillings to support the growth of her now thriving food market stall in Buhoma, in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Four months ago, Doreen Akampurira, local Buhoma resident and member of the Ride for a Woman women’s empowerment initiative, applied and qualified for a loan of 1 million Ugandan shillings (£200 or $280). Her plan was to invest in a stock of second hand clothes sourced from suppliers in Kampala and sell them both from her rented unit in Buhoma and from various local markets.

In April 2017, Ruth Turyamureeba, local Buhoma resident and both member and Chairperson at R4W, borrowed 700,000 Ugandan shillings (£140 or just under $200) with the goal of investing in a sewing machine.

For 2 years Charlotte Atuheire had run a small boutique in Buhoma but with her husband retired she was unable to afford to extend her stock and expand her business. Charlotte could not cover some basic costs of living and really wanted to be able to send her son to school.