    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 24, 1998]
    [Pages 429-430]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Foundation for International Community Assistance Women's
    Village in Wanyange
    March 24, 1998

        Thank you very much. I will try to say this right: Khodeyo [How are
    you]? [Applause] Thank you. I must say it is a great honor for me to be
    around a group of women who say they are willing to give jobs to men.
    Thank you very much. [Laughter]
        It is a great honor for me to be here with the President and Mrs. Museveni.
    My wife and I like these loan programs very much. And Florence, we thank you for the fine job you did being the
    leader of this program today. I want to thank Milli Mukyala and Robinah Balidawa;
    thank you very much for being an example to women, not only throughout
    Uganda and, indeed, Africa but throughout the world. The United States
    is proud to support FINCA in these efforts. FINCA now has set up 3,400
    banking groups, like the two of which you're a part, in Africa, in Latin
    America, in the former Soviet Union.
        The United States, just in the last 2 years, has increased its
    support for such programs through our AID program, and now we are making
    over 2 million loans every year to people just like you--over 2 million.
    What that means is that women in villages like this all across the world
    are going to be able to meet the needs of their children, as Milli so
    eloquently describes, are going to be able to build the economies of
    their villages. It will make their nations stronger, and they will make
    the world a better place. So the song you sang today is a song for
    children everywhere. It's a song for women everywhere. It's a song for
    the future of the world everywhere. We will continue to support these
    programs as long as I am President.
        I want to say a special word of appreciation to my wife, who introduced me to these programs now over
    12 years ago. Twelve years ago she came to me and told me about what was
    happening in a far away country in Asia--Bangladesh. And she said this
    could be done everywhere. And you have shown through your media and
    ours--today you have shown the whole world what can be done in villages
    everywhere. So you have done a great service not only to yourselves and
    your own children but for women just like you all across the globe. And
    we thank you very, very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:07 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, and his wife, Janet;
    Florence

    [[Page 430]]

    Kangolo, master of ceremonies; Milli Mukyala, dairy distribution
    operator; and Robinah Balidawa, business owner. The President also
    referred to the Foundation for International Community Assistance
    (FINCA).