Uganda project profile

Buyamba ADP

Education
Only 27 per cent of children from Buyamba are enrolled in school. Classrooms at most of the area’s 14 schools are dilapidated and some classes are held under trees. One-third of teachers are untrained, resulting in poor examinations marks.

World Vision assists students with uniforms, stationery and school fees. It repairs and builds classrooms and runs teaching workshops. School vision clubs educate children about their rights, life skills and HIV prevention, and community meetings promote the importance of educating girls.

HIV and AIDS
Uganda’s first AIDS cases were reported in this region in 1982.Household resources are stretched when family members become ill and families take in other children. Children often have to help support their families, and so neglect their education. Many children lack clothes, shelter and school materials.

Buyamba ADP works with the community to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS. It trains primary school teachers to incorporate life skills and HIV-prevention messages into their lessons. It also trains community members and groups to support children and families affected by HIV and AIDS and provide care the for chronically ill.

Health
Only 10 per cent of the population has access to safe water and just over 50 per cent has access to sanitary latrines. Malaria and waterborne diseases are common. Although there are no government health centres in the area, five community health clinics have been established; these have few staff and meagre resources.

The ADP holds community meetings to increase awareness of health issues and trains health workers to promote hygiene and sanitation and monitor the health of sponsored children. It constructs hand-washing facilities in schools to improve hygiene and encourage families to build their own hand-washing stations.

Agriculture
Most families have only one acre of land. More than 80 per cent of families grow bananas, maize, sorghum, beans, cassava, millet and potatoes for their own use and keep at least one goat or cow. Peanuts, tobacco and coffee are grown as cash crops.

World Vision forms focus groups where farmers learn improved methods of agriculture and animal husbandry and obtain seeds, cuttings and tools. Trained farmers from these groups share their knowledge with others from their villages. The ADP introduces more hardy livestock, more nutritious crop varieties and products that sell well in the market, thus improving parents’ ability to provide for their children.

Community leadership
The ADP is building relationships with local leaders. It has formed village and wider community development committees to promote and manage activities. Committee members are being trained in child rights, leadership, need assessment, finance and project management.

Sustainable development
World Vision started Buyamba ADP in 2005, and is working with the community to enhance ongoing development. Progress is evaluated every four years, and when the community reaches its goals World Vision will begin to reduce its support, allowing the community to direct its own development.