Economic Development

Ministry Director:  Pastor Wafula Robert

Mission Statement:

To develop and promote Biblical financial ethics, savings and investment cultures to improve the standard of living in communities.

Buvuma Islands Saving & Credit Association (BISCA)

     Improving the social and economic lives of the people of the Buvuma Islands is the primary goal of the Buvuma Islands Saving & Credit Association (BISCA). BISCA is situated on Lingira Island, one of the Buvuma Islands on Lake Victoria. It was founded by vision-bearer Mr. Wafula G. Robert, who has spent 14 years on the islands and is presently the youth pastor at Lingira Deliverance Church, a founding board member of the Lingira Living Hope Secondary School, and the vice-president of SHIM.

     Because of the hardships he faced on the islands, and a desire to initiate change, Mr. Wafula held a community meeting in the Lingira camp in July 2004.  At that meeting, suggestions were made for projects to boost the local economy and provide an income outside the primary occupation of fishing.  However, the main problem was lack of funds to start these economic projects.  Other difficulties included neglect of the islands by government policy makers and ignorance of the people on saving, planning and budgeting.

     BISCA was born from this community meeting, with the intent to provide instruction in saving and budgeting, as well as to teach the community about investments, offer loans - especially to the poorest of the people, eradicate poverty, establish a local bank with a low interest rate, encourage government involvement in development of the islands and address other social and economic issues.

     Economic projects on the island, some which were started after the initial meeting, include a women’s arts and crafts group, animal rearing, agriculture and a Lingira Carpentry Group (L.C.P.).  Some community members engaged in these projects have shown interest in, or are already members of, BISCA.  Others in the local business community are in support of BISCA and will benefit from the institution’s loans to further expand their businesses.

     Plans for future economic projects on Lingira Island include a bakery, a restaurant, and a guest house and recreation center – the latter two which would help support the association.

     Thirty-five members are presently registered, with others promising to join. BISCA is supported by the savings of the members and, in time, by outside donors. In the future, BISCA hopes to expand throughout the communities of the Buvuma Islands.

     Present needs include an office, teachers for training on saving and investments, funds for member loans, and an investor.