State of the World from NPR

Innovating Ways to Address Poverty in Uganda

Dec 16, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, NPR reporter Fatma Tanis shares her firsthand experiences in southwest Uganda, highlighting the transformative effects of cash grants and coaching on local families. Joining her is Dean Carlin, an economist who innovated a block grant model that pools resources for community banking. They delve into the challenges faced, including unexpected low borrowing due to market changes and fear of losing essential savings, and the strategies being implemented to enhance program access, like mobile money. A captivating exploration of meaningful poverty alleviation!
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ANECDOTE

Refugee Turns $74 Grant Into Stable Income

  • Jacareen Kabanyana fled the DRC and used a $74 grant to start raising and selling goats.
  • He now earns $13 a week and built a larger house for his family of 11.
INSIGHT

Pooled Block Grant Creates A Mini-Bank

  • Dean Carlin redesigned grants so 20 households share a pooled $4,000 Block Grant instead of individual payouts.
  • The pool functions as a mini-bank where members lend to each other, pay interest, and share profits.
INSIGHT

Unused Funds Reveal Reluctance To Scale

  • Despite available funds, groups left about half the Block Grant unused in the bank.
  • Carlin found borrowers were cautious and not scaling up even when businesses succeeded.
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