Construction of schools and homes is booming in Fort Portal, Uganda, Joyce Mbabaz's hometown. Though she initially thought of expanding her business selling groundnuts, Joyce recognized a greater demand in the new construction market and, with a grant and training from Trickle Up, launched her own business making bricks. A young widow with four children, she set about gathering the clay, pounding it, and baking it into sturdy bricks. Joyce now employs two other staff members and brings in about $700 per year. And she's joined with other Trickle Up entrepreneurs in the area, mostly young widows like herself, to found a savings and loan group that extends loans for local business investments. Together, the group has initiated a basket weaving business, which brings Joyce additional income.

Joyce puts her family first. Her profits go toward paying for clothing, bedding, and food and meeting school fees and medical expenses. Trickle Up gave Joyce the ability to invest in her children's future.