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	Approvals signed for land in Uganda by Benjamin Bradlow When SDI delegates from Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa visited Uganda in the beginning of February it was to help consolidate the process of profiling and federation building that has been underway there since 2002. Another goal was to meet with Cities Alliance in order to explain our process and work with them and government officials to develop a ... read more Rebuilding an urban poor fund by Benjamin Bradlow One of the key challenges of urban poverty is to find people-driven solutions to housing finance. An innovation of many federations in the SDI network has been to develop what are known as “urban poor funds.” All federations in the alliance practice daily savings as a means for community organization. These savings can often be used for various kinds ... read more People-driven development in Uganda by Benjamin Bradlow This week, SDI delegates are traveling through Uganda with members of the Cities Alliance secretariat to meet with Uganda Slum Dwellers Federation-organized communities, ACTogether, an NGO supporting the activities of the USDF, and officials from all levels of government. This is part of a project facilitated through the new Cities Alliance “Land, Services, and Citizenship” program that is focusing ... read more

Testimonials

	Nelson Mandela Date 2008-10-16 “Women taking charge show us that when we build together, we build each other, we build communities, we build a better society for our children to grow up in. The Federation is setting the example.”
	Bill Clinton Date 2008-10-16 “I believe in what you are doing here. Building your homes, saving for them, taking a small amount of money and building a very nice house. It should be a model for people who don't have a lot of money all over Africa and all over the world. If you can do it here, than in villages all over the world people can do the same thing. See Video.”
	Lindiwe Sisulu Date 2008-10-16 “I have had occasion to look back and assess the damage done to all of us in this country by the policies of inequality. It has cost us dearly. If eighty years ago we had all progressed along the same path, I leave you to imagine where this country would be today. We held back on the development of a segment of our society and we live with those consequences. The steps that we have taken to support and assist initiatives from the Slum Dwellers International and (South African) Federation of the Urban Poor recognizes this singular truth. As government we recognize that apart from the market mechanism, other initiatives and ways that have their origins in the people who make up our cities and towns, exist. This is the experience that yet again I was exposed to when again I visited Thailand last year. I was exposed to a unique programme that forms partnerships between communities, government, and other stakeholders in identifying and developing suitable land for housing. This was a partnership to ensure that communities were located in the most opportune locations where their actual needs could be addressed in a sustainable manner. We are thus committed to learn through practical experience and to enhance our programmes to ensure that community needs are achieved.”
	Joe Slovo Date 2008-10-16 “Look here, show us the way and we will support you. We will rely on your creativity and energy. You have our hearts with you.”
	Derek Hanekom Date 2008-10-16 “You are a national asset. In struggles for land and shelter, it is the landless and homeless who are the real experts.”
	Sanke Mthembi-Mahanyele Date 2008-10-16 “The Federation is the forerunner of the People's Housing Proces. With People like you we will succeed in housing the nation!”