From Grants to Growth: A New Chapter for Our Women’s Mushroom Entrepreneurs

When we first launched our women’s mushroom empowerment program, it began with a simple goal: help women in rural Uganda start businesses that could provide steady income, food security, and dignity for their families.

In their first cycle, each group received gardens through grant-style funding. It was an incredible opportunity to learn. The women were trained, they built their mushroom houses, and they cared for their gardens from planting to harvest. Along the way, they gained not only agricultural skills, but also experience in marketing and selling their mushrooms in local markets.

The results? Powerful. Families were nourished. Women earned income. Communities began to see the ripple effect of women-led businesses.

Now, as they prepare for their second round of mushroom gardens, we are introducing an exciting new change: a micro-loan model.

Instead of receiving their gardens fully funded, each women’s group will now purchase their gardens with a loan that will be repaid over time. This transition is more than financial — it’s transformational.

Iganga, Uganda Womens Mushroom House

With this model, women are:

• Taking greater ownership of their businesses.

• Building confidence and accountability as entrepreneurs.

• Strengthening the sustainability of the program for the long term.

  
  

For Boon, this means donor support goes further. Repayments will help launch new cycles, reaching more women, more families, and more communities with every season.

This is the heart of our vision: not just giving resources, but creating a sustainable path out of poverty.

We’re so proud of what these women have accomplished in their first season — and even

more excited for what’s ahead.