SEED EFFECT

For seven years Seed Effect worked in South Sudan, bringing Christ-centered economic empowerment to former refugees. Four years after war broke out again, Seed Effect was forced to close operations in South Sudan and launched in Uganda in May of 2017, where over one million South Sudanese refugees have now fled. Since then, Seed Effect has served 23,000 South Sudanese refugees and Ugandans in over 880 savings and loan groups across four locations in Uganda. These members care for an estimated 115,000 children. To date, they have saved over $1,300,000 and, on average, report a 34% return on their savings. 95% of Seed Effect’s groups continue to save independently after their first cycle. With access to better financial tools, the right to work, and the support of their Christ-centered community, Seed Effect members are being empowered to know Jesus, provide for their families with dignity, and improve their lives in every sector measured. • 100% of members report that this program has had a positive impact on their lives. • 98% report an improvement in their relationship with God and others. • 43% of members who were not Christians prior to joining report that they now follow Jesus. • 43% report improvement in income steadiness. • 40% report improvement in the way they pay for the doctor and for school fees. • 32% report improvement in the frequency of meat eaten. • Seed Effect members report a 58% increase in the number of livestock owned. Refugees and those trapped in material poverty are capable, but lack access to the tools they need to improve their lives. Seed Effect’s experience and the success of this program has positioned the organization to be the catalyst that shifts the way the world responds to refugee crises, focusing less on short-term responses and long-term aid, and more on Christ-centered, self-sustaining, and empowering tools executed by the refugees themselves.