Luke’s blog: Fighting poverty on several fronts
In one corner of rural Uganda, investment in a well-managed community based organisation is paying dividends in the fight against poverty. Our man on the ground Luke Caley has more.
Our link-up with new project partners RUPAD is doing much to improve the lives of young people in Kibaale, western Uganda. As well as the vital tools and skills training, a whole range of other skills are being taught. Everything from how to run a business successfully to debating sexual health. A community health clinic has also been set up in the village. RUPAD believes the extra support is essential to reducing poverty in the community.
Another issue being tackled is gender inequality. Naruka Alice is a carpentry trainee in what is traditionally a male dominated area:
I first heard about RUPAD on URDT’s local radio station. I come from a community about 60 km from here but I was determined so I sent in my application and am now boarding at RUPAD while I train. Although I know there are no other women carpenters in our community, I think that if men can do the work, then so can I. The boys are surprised but I don’t mind them. I want to generate my own income using my own hands.
Something else that really impresses about the project is that trainees are being encouraged to set up ‘back-home’ projects. These are an opportunity for trainees to put their income generating ideas into practice while still studying.
Bugamba Rose is a RUPAD trainee and treasurer of a youth group project she helped set up in the village of Bukonda. Rose’s ‘back-home’ project aims to make money from keeping animals and growing vegetables. So far things are going very well. With backing from the group Rose reared chickens and grew tomatoes and used the income to buy some piglets. When she eventually sells her pigs 15% of the money will be put back into the group. The rest of the money Rose gets to keep.
Since becoming her community’s village health worker (an interest that started with the community health training she received at RUPAD) Rose is now also the local vet! She treats pig fever and other minor ailments when they arise.
I hope that the money I make from sale of the pigs and my other activities will help me to look after my ailing father and my eight siblings.
RUPAD is thinking long term too. It is helping Rose, Alice and many others to plant trees by providing free pine and eucalyptus seedlings. As well as stemming deforestation the new trees will generate income from timber in years to come.
How is RUPAD able to pay for all of this? Well, one valuable source of income comes from the equipment provided by Tools for Self Reliance. The woodworking lathe and thicknesser are being used to sell subsidised services to the local community.
posted 16 March 2009