In the heart of Kyebale B village, Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Jackline Ndagisanayo, a 31-year-old mother of five, has turned a simple gift into a life-changing opportunity.
Thanks to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), with support from the Austria Development Cooperation through the Austrian Red Cross, Jackline received four hens, an opportunity that has transformed her family’s well-being.
“When the hens started laying eggs, our lives changed,” Jackline shares with a smile. “We now enjoy a more balanced diet, and by selling some eggs, I was able to save enough money to buy a goat.”
With her earnings, Jackline joined a local savings group, contributing UGX 6,000 weekly. She was the first beneficiary of the savings pool, which helped her purchase the goat, an asset that further strengthens her household’s resilience.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. “Feeding the hens is expensive, and sometimes I have to sell eggs just to afford feed, leaving me with little to save,” she explains. However, she remains hopeful that increasing the number of hens in future projects could expand opportunities for families

like hers. “If we had more hens, we could grow our income even further, perhaps one day, we could afford a cow to provide milk for our children.”

Beyond financial gains, the poultry initiative has brought Jackline a newfound sense of independence. “I no longer rely entirely on my husband for basic needs. Now, I can buy essentials like salt, soap, and food on my own. This empowerment has been life-changing.”

Jackline’s story is a testament to how small interventions can lead to significant transformations. With continued support, more families in Nakivale refugee settlement can achieve economic self-reliance and improved nutrition, one egg at a time.