Uganda project profile

Ngogwe ADP

Education
The introduction of universal primary education in Uganda in 1997 increased enrolment rates, placing pressure on classrooms and materials. Some classes are held outside or in leaky classrooms, latrines are in poor condition and there isn’t any water available. Many teachers are inadequately trained. Large class sizes result in poor achievement and high dropout rates.

World Vision raises awareness of child rights and the importance of education for all children. It constructs classrooms, latrines and water tanks and provides books. Adult literacy classes are established.

HIV and AIDS
HIV and AIDS is causing significant concern in Ngogwe. Health services are stretched and many households that have taken in orphaned children and families affected by HIV and AIDS struggle to afford necessities. The number of people affected continues to increase because of poor understanding of HIV prevention.

Ngogwe ADP educates students and the wider community about HIV and AIDS. It trains teachers to use values-based educational materials and establishes HIV-awareness clubs in schools.

World Vision constructs voluntary HIV testing and counselling centres and trains health workers about HIV and AIDS. It trains counsellors and community groups to care for orphans, vulnerable children and people living with HIV and AIDS and provides the groups with supplies and bicycles.

Water and sanitation
Poor hygiene and sanitation, and environments that encourage mosquitoes to breed all contribute to high risk of malaria, diarrhoea and dysentery. Women and children spend many hours collecting often-contaminated water from long distances.

Ngogwe ADP educates community members and schoolchildren about hygiene, sanitation and ways to prevent malaria. It constructs latrines and safe water sources near villages so people don’t have far to travel.

Agriculture and household incomes
Most families from Ngogwe grow their own food. Major crops include sorghum, beans, potatoes and peas. Women mostly tend these gardens while men may grow cash crops such as coffee, vanilla and bananas. Some families keep a few goats, cows, pigs or poultry. Harvests often fail to meet families’ needs because of infertile soils and poor farming methods.

World Vision teaches modern farming methods and conservation and provides farm inputs. It trains people in animal husbandry and provides heifers and piglets so they can breed and sell animals for income.

The ADP assists families to meet their needs by helping them establish income-generating activities. Teenagers are facilitated to join vocational training courses.

Community leadership
Ngogwe ADP builds relationships with community leaders and local government. Members of a development committee established by World Vision are trained to plan, manage and evaluate development activities.

Ngogwe ADP sets up children’s clubs to teach students about development topics and encourage them to participate in community decision making.

Sustainable development
World Vision started Ngogwe ADP in September 2007, 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.