Financial Literacy and Aspirations: Experimental Evidence from Eastern Uganda

by Ester Agasha, Bruce Wydick, et al

The project’s phase conducted in Eastern Uganda in partnership with FINCA Uganda involved meticulous data collection through baseline and immediate post-intervention assessments with 269 participants, categorized into different treatment arms. The study tested the effectiveness of two interventions to enhance women's financial literacy and economic aspirations. The interventions included a mobile-based financial literacy game and an aspirations documentary supplemented with an educational curriculum. The results from this study indicated a significant improvement in participants’ financial literacy scores (increase by 0.50σ) and aspirations indices (increase by 0.38σ). These findings underscore the potential of combining educational and motivational interventions to foster significant behavioral changes and enhance economic empowerment.

Refinements Based on the Current Insights

Insights from the project have led to substantial enhancements in both the digital gaming application and the aspirations documentary. The "Farm Finance" game, developed by the University of San Francisco team, is being updated to include more complex financial scenarios and interactive elements to enhance user engagement and learning efficacy. The documentary is also being updated to feature a broader range of success stories from local entrepreneurs, making it more relatable and motivational for a wider audience. These refinements aim to increase the interventions' contextual relevance and educational impact, addressing the nuanced needs identified through study feedback, such as the desire for more advanced financial concepts and localized entrepreneurial examples.

Preparations for the Expanded Study

Preparations for the expanded study are progressing, with a targeted commencement in end of 2024 depending on availability of funding. Updated baseline surveys have been developed to capture a broader array of financial behaviors and aspirations metrics. These surveys are designed to be more comprehensive and sensitive to regional differences across Uganda, allowing for a deeper understanding of the interventions' impacts across varied socio-economic landscapes. The study expansion will enroll approximately 3,000 participants from 20 branches of FINCA across all the regions of Uganda, ensuring diverse and representative participation. This scale-up is supported by detailed logistical preparations, including the refinement of the mobile app to function efficiently across different smartphone technologies prevalent in various regions of Uganda.

Green Riches, Golden Assets: Crafting Uganda's Dietary Patterns

by Ester Agasha and Nathalie Nyanga

Decoding Uganda's Dietary Patterns with Geospatial Wizardry. When Geography Meets Gastronomy: I am thrilled to share insights from our latest adventure with Nathalie N. at the crossroads of geospatial analysis and nutritional science! Leveraging the power of ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine, we've embarked on a journey to unravel how the green fabric of Uganda's environment and the tapestry of our assets weave together to shape dietary habits. Geospatial Magic in Action:

Using cutting-edge geospatial tools, we mapped the lushness of landscapes (thanks to NDVI metrics) and dissected the intricate layers of household asset ownership. This unique blend of satellite imagery and spatial analytics opened a window into the subtle ways our surroundings and socio-economic status influence what ends up on our plates. Eye-Opening Discoveries: A Greener Palette Equals a Richer Plate: Our findings illuminate a vibrant link between environmental greenness and nutritional diversity. It appears that the more verdant our environment, the more colorful and nutritious our meals become. The Assets of Eating Well: Beyond greenery, the constellation of assets a household holds emerges as a pivotal factor in dietary choices, spotlighting the intersection between wealth and health. The Synergistic Effect: The plot thickens as we reveal that the interplay between green spaces and asset ownership doesn't just add to the dietary equation—it multiplies the benefits, showcasing a compounded effect that enhances dietary quality. Beyond the Numbers:

This journey through geospatial landscapes and dietary patterns isn't just academic—it's a clarion call for integrating green spaces into urban design, for policies that bolster economic access to nutritious food, and for embracing a lifestyle that values the health of our planet as much as our own. Join the Conversation: How do these revelations resonate with your experiences? Can you envision ways to harness these insights for healthier communities through policy, planning, or personal choices? Let's navigate this fascinating intersection of geography and gastronomy to cultivate a future where every meal is a testament to the health of our environment and our society.