One of the big highlights of the year is the THRIVEGulu Annual Event! Each December, all our Empowerment Groups come together to celebrate a year of savings, literacy and progress. This year was especially joyful with representatives from 8 new adult groups and 6 Youth Empowerment Groups joining in the celebration.
The event kicked off with the Chairman of the THRIVEGulu Ugandan Board of Directors, James Latigo, addressing all the guests which included THRIVERS and local officials. There were several activities presented by the groups, including a skit about the importance of educating girls and a dance competition with traditional Ugandan dancing.
We learned the exciting news that each of the 25 Empowerment Groups from the Mother Program increased their savings from the year before! Awards were presented to the top 3 groups who had the greatest increase in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA).
In addition to the exciting news about the VSLA, there were 320 THRIVERS awarded certificates for passing literacy exams! A special cake was made to celebrate the dedicated and hard-working adults who can now read and write.
A surprise came at the end of the event when the THRIVEGulu staff was honored with gifts of appreciation arranged by the groups. They were overjoyed with the recognition of their hard work. The dance floor was opened and the music was turned up for all to celebrate! The day ended with thousands of individuals beginning the new year full of jubilation and gratitude.
