SE Q3 Impact Report 2025

Q3 • 2025

Seed Effect Impact Report

Seed Effect Stats We wrapped Q3 celebrating incredible stories of life change, strategic hires, strengthened systems, and a powerful spotlight on the real cost and priority of education for Seed Effect families. Since launching, Seed Effect has empowered 120,178 South Sudanese and Ugandans. Thank you for making this work possible!

MEMBERS SERVED

GROUPS SERVED

ACTIVE LOCATIONS

$ SAVED

$ LOANED

120,178

4,498

9

$14,135,119

$9,871,161

54% of 2025 new member goal reached!!

“After the share out, I bought some goats, even one time I bought a cow, and then I paid my children’s school fees.”

- Sam, Seed Effect Member

Strengthening the Foundation At Seed Effect, we believe lasting transformation begins from the inside out—both in the communities we serve and within our own organization. As we invest in strengthening existing groups and ensuring data integrity across all branches, we have slowed new group formation, dedicating much of 2025 to strengthening the foundation that makes this impact possible: our team, systems, and structures.

This year, we expanded our Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) capacity with the addition of a new MEAL Manager, and other key roles across Seed Effect Uganda—from a Systems Administrator and Compliance Officer to new HR and Procurement staff—each strengthening the structure behind every savings group meeting, data report, and story of transformation. Alongside these key hires, investments in leadership development, finance and compliance systems, and upgraded data tools are helping us serve more families with excellence.

These behind-the-scenes efforts may not be glamorous, but they’re transformational. By strengthening our internal foundation today, we’re preparing faithfully for tomorrow—equipping our teams to serve with excellence, integrity, and faithfulness as God continues to multiply Seed Effect’s impact. Read more here.

“Through your support, we have built a robust evidence and accountability framework that ensures every dollar contributes directly to measurable impact. The improvements in data quality, reporting accuracy, and program learning not only enhance transparency and efficiency but also ensure that interventions are more responsive to the real needs of refugees and host communities.” S H A R O N A O L , S E E D E F F E C T U G A N D A M E A L M A N A G E R

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The Hidden Price of “Free” Education In Northern Uganda, families are determined to

Purpose of First Loans by Year

keep their children in school, even when “free”

School Fees

Seed Effect member, Betty Poni, shared, “It was hard for me to keep my children in school. I couldn’t feed my family twice a day. We ate once, and in the evening, we would go to sleep without food. Even buying sandals for my child was a struggle.”

Stories like Betty’s are echoed across our savings groups, and our data reflects the same reality.

67% of first loans taken by new members are used to pay for their children’s school fees. By the third savings cycle, that number drops to

% of first loans (showing school fees + business)

education isn’t truly free.

Business Investment

17

18 36 67 42 20

20%, while loans for business growth increase from 17% to 36%.

This shift tells a powerful story: as financial stability increases, families move from crisis-driven borrowing to long-term, income-generating investments. Education remains the first priority, but it’s no longer a desperate one. Read more about what our members face to keep their children in school here.

Seed Effect member, Betty Poni, who cares for eight children, receives a small loan during her group meeting in the Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda.

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Meet Agnes Agnes Bako’s life was marked by anger, broken family relationships, and constant financial pressure as she cared for seven children and an additional dependent. Her home was filled with conflict, and she often fought with her husband and others in the community. But everything began to change when a friend invited her to a Seed Effect meeting where the teachings on forgiveness, peace, and financial stewardship spoke directly to her struggles. Agnes found a renewed faith in Christ, began to heal, and developed financial discipline. She saved over 1,595,000 UGX ($419 USD) through farming, took out agricultural loans to expand her work, and paid school fees for her daughter making her life unrecognizable from the one she lived before.

“At home, we now live peacefully with my husband. Whenever I return from the meetings, I call my children and share with them the message we were taught. The Bible study conducted in the group has made me know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I learned that I was created by God. I learned that saving is Biblical. Thank you so much, Seed Effect, for coming and bringing change.”

AGNES, SEED EFFECT MEMBER, YUMBE

Agnes is no longer known for her temper but for her joy, kindness, and leadership. She now hires others in her garden, shares what she learns with her children, and dreams of

CLICK HERE TO WATCH AGNES’ STORY

building a better home. Her journey is inspiring others to believe change is possible.

Thank you for investing in restoration and economic empowerment!

Learn more at seedeffect.org Page 4