Dr. J. Wagona Makoba

A native of Uganda, J. Wagona Makoba, Ph.D. is an Associate professor of Sociology at UNR faculty and other international development experts, he founded the Foundation for Credit and Community Assistance (FOCCAS), a Reno-based, non-profit organization, in 1993. He currently serves as president.

FOCCAS was founded to provide self-help solutions for the poverty affecting millions of people in rural areas of Africa. FOCCAS provides small loans ($50-$100 initally) combined with education to help individuals make big changes in their lives.

Loans are provided to community Credit Associations whose members agree to guarantee one another's. This mutual guarantee system replaces the collateral the participants lack. All loans are to be used to start or expand familiar income-generating activities.

Learning Sessions during the weekly meetings of the Credit Associations are designed to help members improve family health and nutrition, build entrepreneurial skills, and take Action for Community Development.

FOCCAS recently received a $300,000 grant from the United Nations Development Program to expand the FOCCAS program in two districts of eastern Uganda. UNICEF has provided refunding since 1995. During the next two years FOCCAS will provide loans to 6,750 people, benefiting over 35,000 of their family members.

Dr. Makoba earned his Masters and Ph.D. degrees at the Unversity of California, Berkely and has been teaching at UNR since July 1990. Published here and abroad, he is a member of many international and national professional organizations.

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"I serve on the HPGS Board because I believe in our proactive efforts to promote paeceful coexistence of diverse peoples and their cultures."

Profession
Associate Professor of Sociology & Chair

Contacts
makoba@scs.unr.edu