Newsletter from kapchora 2nd edition (oct dec 2013)

“Wec-Wecatet” Quarterly Newsletter, Oct-Dec 2013

WEC-WECATET

In This Issue

Activista Training News

Article on GBV and

Mediation experience

16 Days campaign

Articles and activities

reports of AAIU partners

Quarterly Newsletter from Kapchorwa Local Rights Program Second Edition, October-December 2013

transformation

“Wec-Wecatet” news

letter the ideal for ex-

perience sharing

-By Jafari Kamwania Program Co-ordinator, TOFA

I am proud to host Wec-Wecatet

newsletter second edition Octo-

ber to December 2013.

This has changed our way doing

thinks because it has an in-depth

analysis and stories of the work

we are doing as partner organi-

zations. I would like to appreciate

the leadership kapchorwa LRP,

our partner organization and indi-

viduals who contributed to the

success of this newsletter.

This will create change in the

community and publicity of our

work at all LRP levels, this initia-

tive became so objective in pull-

ing our ideas together and shar-

ing our work experiences. We all

need to take it positively for we

shall show the world our inter-

ventions, my experience in host-

ing this newsletter is that it is

difficult to collect information

from colleagues given their

busy work (cont. page 2)

“Organic Farming Knowledge

Changed my Life”-Kokop

- By Bishal Ranamagar

Inspirator, Kapchorwa LRP

My name is Kokop Addi aged 53 years with 11 children 4 boys and 7 girls. I live in Matenyi village, Kululu parish, Kapteret sub county Kapchorwa district. I am a member of Chemutare Reflect Circle. Here I want to share my story about how I am able to change my life. Before Tuban Organic Farmers Association (TOFA) interventions, we never had any knowledge especially in agriculture, business skill and we were completely dependent on selling labour to earn a living. When TOFA came and intervene, we collectively shared with them our problem. There after they formed Reflect Circle group in my village. After formation of the group, they provided us the various training such as sustainable organic agriculture, group dynamics. We were trained on how to plant Matooke (Banana) by using organ-ic fertilizer; we did it that way by the end we were able to sale a bunch of Matooke at 15,000 Ugandan Shilling after one year. (cont. page 9)

2

“I have been helping Voluntarily” -Cheptarar James, Opinion Leader

Mr. Cheptarar James is 59 years old; he is from Chepyakaniet village, Bin-yiny Subcounty of Kween district. James is an opinion leader and support-ing to ActionAid Women Protection Center (WPC) in Kween district. As an opinion leader, he is supporting Gender based violence victims to linkup with the WPC. James is working as a volunteer and said, "I am happy to work for my community". “Wec-Wecatet" met him in Kween and here is some of his experiences about the work. How did you link with WPC? James: I am working for ActionAid as a Community inter Mediatory (CIs). I got the information that AA is going to establish WPC in Kween district, and then I started to interact . They said they wanted to engage opinion leaders too. Then, they also included me and that is how I linked with them and its activities. Since then, I have been helping voluntarily . How have you been able to speak out against GBV? I learnt about the GBV and its effect to the women, family and in the com-munity during the two days training organized by AA. This training helped me to know the existing law and rules about the GBV. That training also empowered me to speak out against GBV. The training helps me to gain more knowledge about the different forms of GBVs. How are you bringing the cases to WPC? As an opinion leader, I talk about WPC in my community. I told them about the services provided at WPC so when any women gets any problem they come to me and I go with them to WPC. I am also helping WPC to organize such kinds of awareness rising and sensitization programs in my community.

Con’t. From page 1

Wec-Wecatet

schedules and this calls for different

strategies of collecting data. This

quarterly newsletter will enhance

our understanding and capability to

have work shared both locally,

national and international levels.

Please we need to have the ready

every quarter so joined effort is re-

quired from all.

We believe that knowledge is

power, and fighting poverty should

be diversified not only through

providing direct service for example

how NAADS one of the government

programs do, but let's look at

fighting poverty of the mind through

capacity building and what is that

thing that you can do it differently

from others that will be the ideal

situation.

For example, if a local community

member is tasked to defined pov-

erty he/she can defined it in many

ways so why not diversify our

thinking and the way we handle our

program. ActionAid has brought us

from dust to flowers the live we

couldn’t imagine and this in terms

of capacity building, financial sup-

port and exposure. With our part-

nership, poverty be history and to-

gether we can build this nation for

generations to come.

Enjoy “Wec-Wecatet” second

edition.

Source: ActionAid HRBA Resource Book 2.0

3

Tuban Organic Famers Association (TOFA)

Tuban Organic Farmers Association (TOFA) was formed in 1999. TOFA was formed by three youths who attended a training on sustainable organic agriculture in St. Jude, Masaka orga-nized by Red Cross Society, Uganda. This training was organized by Red Cross to face out of spring protection project in Kapchorwa. In the process the deadly problem of soil infertility was realized and these were measured by the poor crop production, e.g. Bananas could yield 3 fingers and we worked towards changing the situation through the use of organic fertilizer which is cheap and affordable by the poor re-source farmers. GOAL To have a society free from hunger, poverty and unemployment through ecological land use and sustainable management of natural resources in the community VISION Hunger and poverty free communities from all seasons MISSION “Organize women, youth, Widows, Peo-ple with disabilities and other stakehold-ers to eliminate hunger and poverty in the district. OBJECTIVES

To increase soil fertility through both organic and artificial fertilizers to yield a better crop

To increase household food security and incomes through good agro-nomic practices in the community

To build the capacity of the commu-nity and TOFA for better implemen-tation of sustainable land manage-ment practices (SLM) and other de-velopment activities to improve the livelihood of the people in the society

To reduce unemployment through job creation rather job seeking

To sensitize communities on HIV/AIDS epidemic and its dangerous effects to the farming communities

Contact Detail of TOFA Kapchorwa Mbale Road, Opposite to

Kapchorwa Technical School P.O. Box 230, KAPCHORWA Contact +256 (0) 774372475, [email protected],

http://tofa.wordpress.com Key Contact Person: Mr. Jafari Kamwania Program Coordinator

Cell: +256 (0) 777001428 +256 (0) 0703907245

WHY GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IS PERPETUATED BY SOCIETY -By Patrick Kitiyo

Project Officer, WPC Kapchorwa LRP

As I write this article, Women protection cen-tre, Kween district in Sebei Sub-region has registered 409 cases of gender based violence reported. This is a drop in a sea of GBV cases occurring in the community as most cases re-mained unreported. The Project is implement-ed by ActionAid Uganda in partnership with FIDA, Uganda and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development through its related local government departments. Implementation of gender-based violence activities has exposed me to various other issues which are critical in sharing in this article.

Implementation of Gender-based violence includes the word gender because most victims of social violence are women (93%, WPC Kween district case records). Violence is directed against women because they are female and are regarded by society as having unequal power in relationships with men hence people with low status and equated to children in particular in society among the Sabiny and the Uganda in general. The lack of power and status in society makes women vulnerable to acts of violence. Women are considered as property given the dowry paid for and also lack of relationship in the family. “A woman had no right to claim for any property in my family since she is one of the proper-ties I have” observed by a man during mediation. This means that any women who questions distribution or misappropriation of fami-ly resources will be abused.

The overall goal of the perpetrator of GBV is to have control and dominance over women in society. Male dominance is perpetuat-ed through unwritten norms and practices which are passed on from one male generation to another who keep modifying.

During one of our open air debates, a man lamented how a man with one wife can mediate over a domestic matter involving a family with two women. He argued that this person with one wife has no experience. His view was that domestic issues involving a family with two women must be handled by equally persons married with two or more women.

Patriarchal society perpetuates domestic violence matters in ways that may look unconscious yet it is deliberate to maintain the sta-tus quo. This is particularly true because the perpetrators knows the victim, learns the environment and ensure he devises various ways to challenge obstacles that may come his way. The cultural practices and beliefs have further helped the perpetrators to pro-mote gender based violence. Issues such as polygamy, dowry, early marriages and male child preference are a case to mention. Mediation of gender based violence matters at the centre reveals that either of these issues has perpetuated gender based violence in our society. Young girls married off at early age lack livelihood skills and therefore depend on their spouses giving men great opportunity to abuse them left and right. The pattern of abuse can be episodic, recurrent or chronic.

Additionally, for men to ensure the status quo, they have tried to defuse GBV by fulfilling their roles and responsibilities or apolo-gise after abusing them. These empathetic ways have left women to think that truly this man erred when he physically, emotionally or psychologically abused her. (cont. page 9)

Partner Profile

4

Activista Trained for Governance

Kepteret Activista group came up with action plan for 2014

"It was my first training, I learnt about the role for

the governance and accountability", Chebet Esther, a member of Activista group of Kepteret said. She is among the 30 participants who participated in Youth for Governance and Accountability on 12-13 December 2013 in Kepteret sub-county of Kapchorwa District.

"I have learnt about governance as well as the role of youth for it," Ester mentioned, "the training module and methods are youth friendly so it was very easy for us to learn."

Activista Group of Kepteret organized this training in coordination with ActionAid Kapchorwa Local Rights Program and Tuban Organic Farmers Association (TOFA). "This training was in our actionplan and we suc-ceed to organize it in coordination with ActionAid and TOFA." Activista leader of Kepteret Chebet Felix men-tioned.

Activista group was formed in Kepteret Sub County in May 2013. This group is organizing programs and sensitization program on leadership, public expenditure tracking and hunger free campaign since its establish-ment.

Two days training was covered subjects such as governance, accountability, leadership and team building.

Sabila Davis, a participant of the training said that the training is helpful to change his life.

"I will share this knowledge with my fellow youths and engage them for the youth campaign.

According to the Activista member Chemoi Hamidu, there is some possibility in youth to speak out for hunger problem. He mentioned that the training

brought him knowledge to do campaign in grassroots level.

After the two days training, Activista group of Kepteret came up with an action plan for 2014. "We have made it after very serious discussion, we had dis-cussion, prioritize the issues and we found our interven-tions," Activista leader Chelimo Issac said.

In the action plan, Activista members are planning to carry out more than a dozen activites like expansion of activista group in parish level, community level youth sensitization program on civic education, courtesy visit with the local stakeholder etc.

Training participants went to Kepteret sub-county office and presented their problems to the sub-county personals during the training.

ActionAid Kapchrowa LRP Inspirator Bishal Ranamagar was engaged as facilitator. The training was innagurated by the Kepteret Sub-County LC III vice-chairperson, Sub county chief and program coordinator of TOFA.

"I have learnt about the governance as well as the role of youth for it," Eshter mentioned, "the training mod-ule and methods are youth friendly so it was very easy for us to learn."


ActionAid Kapchrowa Local Rights Program celebrated the "16 days campaign aginst gender based violence" in Kapchorwa and Kween district with various kind of cam-paign activities. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gen-der-Based Violence is a global campaign to advocate for awareness and take action on the multi-faceted in-tersections of gender based violence while highlighting the connection between the struggle for economic and social rights and ending gender-based violence.

The campaign was started on November 25 and ended on 10

th December of 2013 This 16-day period also high-

lights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and

16 Days Campaign in Kaphcorwa and Kween

-By Patrick Kitiyo

Project Officer, WPC Kapchorwa LRP

During the campaign, Youth volunteer of Kapchorwa and Kween districts were mobilized to carry out the White ribbon campaign in the local governments. White ribbon is the symbol against gender-based violence. An awareness caravan took place in Kween district.

Local youth, women and children including GBV survi-vors participated in many kind of the activities such as radio program, men and youth for a meeting, IEC mate-rial distribution.

The local rights program on the 16-days of activism against Gender based violence campaigns focussed on violence perpetuated by household heads as a re-sults of societal ascribed roles, which is a common

phenomenon that undermines human rights in our

society. This was aimed at bringing the plight of women into light in order to break the silence surround-ing GBV in society.

A total 3,638 People reached during the 16-Days activ-ism campaigns against gender based violence in Kween and Kapchorwa district. This include the GBV survivors, district and sub-county officials, youth, school children and CSO representatives.

The celebrations of these activities to commemorate 16-days of activism against GBV in 2013 were done in style. The use of the caravan, white and Red ribbons, commitment book and cloth signed by district leaders, lower local government leaders and communities was an innovation in the campaign.

“We should all join our hand in order to stop violence against

women”

Community Development Officer, Kween


GREEN WILL APPEAR

- By Sisco Cherukut Counsellor, Women Protection Centre, Kween

Mediation is the only option opt-

ed by GBV survivors at the wom-en protection centre where wom-en who have suffered domestic violence run to. Once they report to the centre, registration is done, offered counselling and cases that

are reported range from wife battering and assault, mari-tal issues, defilement, land dispute, child neglect/ abuse, family desertion, maintenance, inheritance, property dis-pute among others. An assessment is made regarding the problem taking care of survivor’s wish; referrals can be made where there is need especially on cases that are criminal in nature. Invitation letters are sent after assessing the need and also requests made by GBV survivor for mediation and key people mentioned by sur-vivor are copied to from both parties. We sometimes experience a challenge where some respondents fail to honour invitations, but letters of reminder is sent up to 2 times before referring to the legal office. During mediation, respondent’s party express high neg-ative perception regarding accusations made against their member at the centre and sometimes blame survi-vor as exposing their domestic issues in public which may be an interference of (cont. page 9)

Experiences of Mediation in Kween -By Kwemboi Silus

Program Coordinator

KWIPI, Bukwo

If you should take my child you authority bearer Give my hands strength to dig his grave cover him with earth Action Aid send a little rain For green will appear.

If my house should burnt down by the rich one So that the ashes sting the his nostrils Making my eyes stream with tears Then Action Aid send a little rain For green will appear.

But you powerful one do not continue denying me my rights The good road, the medicines, name them!!!!!

I ask for peace, freedom and liberty Do not send me moon hard madness To deny me a reason for life

Action Aid send a little more rain

Life will change to the better

For green will appear.

“WELL DONE”: Kapchorwa LRP team is happy to hold “Well Done” cake. This cake was awarded by the Country

Director of ActionAid Uganda for selecting as Best LRP for Budget and Planning for 2014.


Con’t. From page 6 Experiences... respondent’s administrative issues. They believe GBV is cultural and is healthy for a man to batter his wife as a sign of discipline which is vital in any sabiny family and that women ought to prove their bravery by endur-ing, but not to expose any domestic issue anywhere apart from family or clan members. A briefing on the mission of actionaid is done, what DV is, its effects on the family and community with common experiences; provisions of the law regarding DV the purpose and ser-vices offered by the centre like counselling, raising awareness on human and women rights, legal advice and litigation. Information shared is referred to when supporting parties to resolve the conflict with emphasis on the fact the staff’s role is neutral during the exercise. The survivor is given chance to share the story and why they opted to report their problem at the centre and most of them express the pain they have gone through and how perpetrator failed to honour commitments done at LCs, clan or family levels and more so frustrations faced in police due to lack of finances to facilitate ar-rests, their only option was WPC. The perpetrator also gives his defence and out of that , the other members assess and guide them on better ways of having a peaceful family. In most cases the perpetrator may be asked to apologise and make commitments to reform. The exercise is hectic in that both parties raise argu-ments and accusations towards the other and these may prompt the staff to make

transformative impact. Take an example of community members invited for meetings aimed at seeking for so-lutions to addressing challenges in their respective communi-ties and these members request for facilitation for the meeting they are going to discuss over issues concern-ing own community, to the extent that members forfeit meetings at the expense of obtaining transport and lunch refunds. Not only that, there are incidences of mal practices and miss-use of public resources in the presence of com-munity members and such incidences are not reported and monitored for redress. Even after sensitization and capacitating of community members, such issues do not come to rest and are never addressed. In my own view, if community members would own and appreciate community transformative initiatives and help in reporting, monitoring and evaluation of commu-nity initiatives without fear and favor and also pay more attention to empowerment/ awareness and solidarity group creation other than material and direct benefit, community transformation would be registered because more voices (power of numbers) are much more better than individualistic tendencies. Before you begin critiquing, it is always wise to investi-gate first, or before you think of benefiting from some-thing, please ask yourself for the input/contribution you would have putted in that undertaking, as this reminds me of the Bible teaching that you reap what you sow.

clarifications where necessary. It also calls for sighting a mediating ground whether children, broken relationship, family retardation in terms of development as the case may be. This may take 1 to 3 hours and where the mat-ter has been amicably resolved, a resolution agreement is signed by both parties. Finally, parties reconcile and shake hands appreciating WPC for the support to families which are beginning to understand their roles and obligations. That men have strayed by failing to support children be in school, main-tain them and have resorted to over drinking which is the root cause to DV argues ActionAid to continue sup-porting them.

Generation of Article

Con’t. From page 3 Why Gender…

Field follow-ups of abandoned cases reported at the centre reveal that some women are harassed and/or promised divorce if they do not withdrew the cases and accept the clan leaders to resettle the matter.

Though the project is registering tremendous successes in breaking the silence, the changing character of men in maintaining the status quo is becoming complex eve-ry other day. Male involvement in the campaigns against gender based violence where their capacity on commu-nity mobilisation, effects of violence against women, cy-cle of violence and girls and equipment them with nec-essary campaign materials.

1. Performance at work places: The best way for one to perform and work better in any given job is for one to assume that there is no other job in one’s amidst. This will therefore encourage one to accord due respect and concern to the job/ undertaking in one’s amidst for it will look the only un-dertaking engaging an individual and relieving one off the many

worries that would be fall such a person. It’s also im-portant to do the best in that undertaking so that your role and contribution can be realized and appreciated by others. 2. The power and value of contribution. The greatest challenge hindering development in our

country Uganda is the failure by the people to contribute

in community transformative initiatives. Although the

government bears the largest blame, community mem-

bers have fully resorted to direct benefit other than long

term interventions that would transform communities in

the lone run and would even lead to attainment of

-By Cherop Robert

Program Coordinator, CAFHUR


Kaphcorwa/Bukwo Women in Peace Initiative (KWIPI) is based on Bukwo District of Uganda. It has partnership with ActionAid Uganda since 2003. KWIPI is women-led and governed organization basically focusing on to peace stablishement. KWIPI has done many activities and campaign on conflict management and peace building as well as women and children empowernment. Here is the brief overview of the KWIPI's activities in 2013.

Held one meeting with District leadership to enact and implement anti-cattle rustling bye-laws and ordinances in the sub-counties of Chesower, Kamet, Tulel, Riwo, Bukwo and Kaptererwo in January and July through dialogue and discussion with communities of Sebei and Pokot with local leaders. Conducted two Sensitization meetings for youth, and women on their roles and re-sponsibilities on leadership positions August 2013 by encouraging women and youth of Bukwo District to vie for elective positions

Conducted training for livestock and coffee trader groups on collective marketing, market information liter-acy, savings and credit management and link to com-munity knowledge workers October 2013 by encourag-ing them through training to embrace marketing their products as a team Mobilized and facilitated community groups of the district represented by three members of selected SACCOs on how to establish SACCOs in Oc-tober by encouraging them to embrace the saving cul-ture and credit trustworthiness.

Conducted a follow-up and engagement meeting with local government on disaster trend mapping and utilized the feedback to inform the community and local govern-ment in February, through discussion with the communi-ty on disaster mapping and preparedness. Organized an engagement meeting with the district leaders on en-acting bye laws on land use practices in September by inviting all Sub County NAADS Coordinators for a meet-ing on land care practices and the role of every stake holder.

KWIPI’s Journey in 2013: a flash back

-By Kwemboi Silus

Program Coordinator, KWIPI

Mobilized and facilitate two children parliamentary ses-sions in March and September targeting pupils of Mokoyon, Bukwo Elite and Bukwo Primary Schools. The motion was; “Quality Education, are we there?” This was done in the presence of the District Inspector of Schools, Bukwo.

Organized one meeting with the unemployed youths in Kamet and Tulel Sub Counties to sensitize them on im-portance of vocational trainings in October using a re-source person Identified, Organized, and trained focal point persons in Kortek and Kabei Sub Counties and sensitized them on the effects of GBV with emphasis on early marriages, domestic violence and FGM in Septem-ber.

Organized ten meetings to facilitate the establishment and formation of Anti FGM Clubs in ten schools across the District specifically in Tulel, Kapsiywo, Kortek, Forest View, Riwo, Kaptolomukon, Kwirwot, Muimet, and Chepkwasta Primary schools.

Continued in conducting community dialogue with lower local governments at Sub County level to enforce laws on UPE children to go to school in January.

Children are participating in Child Parliament


ActionAid International Uganda – AAIU

Kapchorwa Local Rights Program Activities

Kapchorwa Local Rights Programme is implement-

ing a one year ANCP funded project known as Anti-

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) project. The project

overall aim is to create an environment where girls

can safely organize and contribute to design of

strategies that can prevent the practice and also

challenge and report all forms of violence they expe-

rience.in regard to these several activities have been

on going one of them was:

Conduct Star circle sensitization and awareness creation

meetings on issues of women and girls rights and access to justice. The intended objective of these activity was to

ensure Widespread awareness among all stakeholders, women and girl children on the immediate and permanent

effects of FGM and develop a participatory and interactive discussion on how to overcome and face it. As well as

ensure that women/girls are able to develop and implement self–led actions that enhance their ability to resist Fe-

male Genital Cutting using REFLECTION-Action methodologies. Women were so appreciative of these and collec-

tively demonstrated participatory methodologies to solve community issues amidst FGM most especially faced by

women.

It was conducted in greater Benet sub-county in each sub county respectively, Kwosir sub-county, Likil trading centre

in Kitawoi sub-county and Kamunargut centre in Benet sub-county. We reached out to178 people including 122 fe-

males and 56 men in kitawoi. 200 In Kwosir and 150 in Benet. Girl space discussion at community and school level

was organised by girl child clubs in 15 primary schools with support from their matrons/senior women teachers. They

staged dramas debates songs among others aimed at demonstrating their rights as children, and also fighting

against FGM. The girls child club of the school level, taken lead to prepare and perform the drama. Through this dra-

ma audiences got more knowledge about FGM and it’s impact. These was successful and it developed confidence

among them and also develop an attitude of developing solutions by the community and within the community. They

also participated in radio talk shows.

- By Pricilla Yeko

FGM Project Volunteer


- By Jafari Kamwania

Program Coordinator, TOFA The two sub counties of Kapteret and Tegeres in kap-chorwa district is suffering from land degradation, land fragmentation, high population density, limited access to market and information; and weak institutional challeng-es were food insecurity integrated and adopt technolo-gies. The major production challenges were food inse-curity due to poor crop yields and decreasing household income. Tuban organic farmers association with support from ActionAid Anternational Uganda approached the community by organizing community meetings and

come up with farmer groups, women groups and Natural Resource Management (NRM) committees at village to parish level. After initial meetings of technologies, by selecting six lead farmers per village from the parish. This was followed by the formation of Reflect Learning Circles. This is the process of enabling farmers to diagnose the problem affecting them through discus-sions and development of action points which becomes the basis for planning. These problems are related to NRM, food security, soil conservation and promotion of high value crops for maximum income. Through these discussions action points were generated that brought out issue that could be addressed within the farm level and those beyond. The communities agree on how to prioritize and solve issues that can be addressed within the community. Following the reflec-tion circle farmer meeting were organized and facilitated by trained facilitators under Tuban organic farmers as-sociation (TOFA). This was accompanied by farmer to farmer extension visits, whereby farmers visit each other to share experiences on progress and challenges. Dra-ma was also used a strategy to disseminate technolo-gies and information. The organization established demonstration sites, particularly for banana manage-ment, soil and water conservation, energy saving tech-nologies, vegetable growing and kitchen gardening, tree nurseries among others. In the respective systems so as farmers can access improved technologies. The farmer groups manage and monitor the technology sites while TOFA supports the group with technical knowledge. The major components of the approach were:

Mobilization and sensitization of community mem-bers on key NRM issues.

Hold community meetings to come up with bye-laws ,rules and regulations (for example: each

THE BEAUTY OF REFLECT METHODOLOGY

member must construct a trench on their farm), con-stitutional development

Include key stakeholders like local leaders and tech-nical people participating in the planning and imple-mentation at all levels.

Establish technology sites with the beneficiary farmers.

Formation of marketing groups from village to parish level

Putting village libraries for publicity (reading materi-als,

Establishing collecting Action groups at reflect circle level.

Improving the capacity of farmers to carry out re-search and experience sharing and different experi-ments at farm level.

Promotions of the products by using dramas, role plays, shows, demonstrations and other tools.

Encouraging farmers to work together in the same context of family planning.

In Kapteret and Tegeres both sites, banana was used as a model crop to develop the relevant approaches. The major activities used to increase banana yield were the following)

Use of artificial fertilizers; most of the farmers are failing to adopt this technology because it is expen-sive

Use of organic manure to reduce production costs

Exchange visits (Farmer to Farmer visits) to facili-tate dissemination

Over 200 farmers have improved their crop productivity, whereby banana yield increased from 25kg to 110 per bunch which is costing 8,000-20,000 Ugandan Shilling (3.2-8 USD) as compared to the 5-10kg of harvest cost-ing 1,000- 5,000 Ugandan Shilling (0.4-2 USD). Way forward There is farmer to farmer extension where farmers will get access to technologies from their col-league farmers. Exchange visits were used internally and externally to give access to farmers for technologies and good practices. There is a need to support farmers with inputs and advices. There is a need to support farmers through encouraging the saving and credit ser-vices. Challenges

The prices at which a bunch of banana (Matoke) sale at the farm gate doubles the market price.

How best the best practices should be disseminated to influence policy at higher levels.


GOLD MINDING

“If you want to continue being a

leader in the world, start by get-ting some of that debt off your back, it’s the guy holding the I.O.Us the guy is called the hos-tage “ said cryster, chairman lee lacocca in 1992 addressed at john Hopkins university. But, Mr. Tim Banan the Accounts Assistant of Community Action

for Human rights (CAFHUR-Kapchorwa Uganda) with his minimal experience says that “if you borrow more than your saving and spend more than what your earnings, then you are doomed to being poor or even poorest which may lead you to early death and you may end up in hell because big debts always lead to lies which is sin before God so I am requesting us to hard work and smart work ” Remember the Bible says that those who borrow are slaves of money lenders (proverbs 22:7). Therefore it’s time for borrowers to make an “U” turn and learn how to earn and manage this earthly monies/money. Basically there are 3 ways on how to manage your money (Locally known as “Ngwatyet”): 1. spend it 2.save it 3.give it away. So, let’s first learn how to spend our money. First have a REALISTIC BUDGET or a budget that is at least equivalent to your earnings. But having a budget less than your earnings is even much better because the remaining/extra earnings will be used as your SAV-INGS, a good budget should be based on priorities or first things first or things that matter most. Secondly giving money to others, not just any one but

- By Tim Banan Account Assistant, CAFHUR

to those who really need help like the orphans, disaster stricken, charity organizations like NGOs etc and nev-er give to potential and lazy people but instead teach them how to earn. Remember that it feels good to always have excess to even give out. Studies have shown that giving of re-sources to others including time and energy as well as money brings happiness to the extent that your re-source can allow. There is a saying that removing one grass from a grass thatched roofed house does not make the house to leak. Look at the worlds prominent people like Bill Gates, Sudir Ruparalla of Uganda the late Nelson Mandela they all are prominent because in one way or the other, they have given out something. Mandela “Madiba” R.I.P gave his life in pursuit of jus-tice, freedom and equality to South Africans. I believe Mandela died a happy man, we miss you Mandela. (There is more happiness in giving than in receiving Acts 20:25) Lastly but not least, the most important of all is SAV-ING Chris Farrell in his book, the new frugality said that “SAVING A MEANS OF SUPPORTING SPENDING” He recommended that saving is the most sensible thing you can do with your money. Therefore saving is simp-ly keeping same thing for tomorrow. Many people today are poor because way back they did not mind about the future so their mistake should be a learning aid to our verve/lives and as a Christian save as much money as if you are going to exist for 200 years and live a Godly life like God is coming the next hour. (Ecclesiastes 5:10,1st Timothy 6:8,9.,Psalms 37:25)

[email protected]

Kwosir Women Cooperative

Association members are

happy to get their saving

box. They bought their own

saving box using member-

ship fee.

They have 60 active mem-

bers and in process to

contribute shares (Working

Capital). ActionAid sup-

porting them to enhance

skill on cooperative estab-

lishment and management.

Photo: Nantine Chebet

mailto:[email protected]


For “WEC-WECATET” quarterly newsletter

ActionAid International Uganda Kapchorwa Local Rights Program

Along with Staff; Aggrey Kibet, Patrick Kitiyo, Christopher Agaba, Nantine Chebet, Kiprotwo George,

Pricilla Yeko, Stephen Cheruwaru

P.O. Box 7, Kapchorwa

Tel: +256 (0) 392772834

Email: [email protected]

Coordination for this Edition Jafari Kamwania and the team of

Tuban Organic Farmers Association (TOFA) Editing and Designed by ;

Bishal Ranamagar INSPIRATOR for Kapchorwa LRP

[email protected] +256 (0) 783536582

Con’t. From page 1

Organic... It made us very happy and inspired us to adopt organic farming. Some of the group members ignored this knowledge

but for me and seven members of my group remained contin-ued implementing the action agreed upon at the training. Some group members are ig-nored this skills because man-aging an organic farm is too labourers and time-consuming task. For us we managed through collective action with the group members, this proved us successful. It is the basis of our Chemutare Reflect circle's successes. We sat as a group, analyzed our savings and sells from the matooke, and realized that it was growing. Then we agreed to start a poultry project as another sub project for our

group. We bought 21 hens and 1 coke. We reared these hens and when they started laying eggs, we sold the eggs and increased on our savings from matooke. We realized that this was growing then as groups, we agreed to start goat rearing sub project. We bought seven goats for each of our group members to keep on behalf of the group one and use the fertilizer to fertilize our banana plantations. My goat from the group multiplied up to 12 offspring's and this helped me to pay my children’s fees and use the manure to improve on the soil fertility. This is the time when people sensed something good and started adopting the technology after learning from us, at this time we had our lives changed. We have dressed of diet as well and being exposed. More people started joining us in the reflect circles. For the exposure now, I am able to take discussions and control over resources at home that use not to be the case before. We have ¾ acres of land which we depend on. From the savings and cash, rounds with friends helped build my tin and mad house. The changes so far realized are, I can afford to pay our children’s fees, medical bills, enough food among others and given the knowledge we can still move even when action-aid and TOFA pulls out. I thank ActionAid and TOFA for the support extended to us and our group members and the commu-nity at large but I suggest that our husbands be involved in the near future.

Newsletter from kapchora 2nd edition (oct dec 2013)

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Transcript of Newsletter from kapchora 2nd edition (oct dec 2013)