Uganda project profile

Health
The incidence of maternal mortality has reduced due to a dispensary/maternity unit established in Panyigoro, and the presence of community Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA). The dispensary provides out-patient services, a laboratory and immunisations for children and mothers. TBAs learn modern childbirth techniques, provide antenatal care, and train other women.

Community Health Workers educate the people in first aid, immunisation, breastfeeding, nutrition, disease prevention and control, sanitation and the importance of drinking clean water. The number of homes with toilets has risen considerably despite problems posed by the sandy soil and high water table. Community Counsellors and AIDS educators organise community events to teach people about HIV/AIDS.

Education
When World Vision first came to Pakwach, schools were run down, built of mud and wattle, and thatched with grass. They required rebuilding annually, which was costly and discouraging for parents. Few teachers were willing to work in the district, as the school facilities and housing were inadequate. Over 70% of the schools’ teachers were unqualified, so the standard of teaching was poor. Most children didn’t attend school, and at 46%, the literacy rate in Pakwach communities was the lowest for Uganda.

Pakwach ADP (map not to scale)

The people are eager to build permanent, safe classrooms, so they willingly contribute construction materials. Many materials are not available locally and have to be trucked in from other areas. Transport costs are expensive, so World Vision pays for these and labour charges, plus some of the materials so that the building projects can proceed. As a result of the building improvements, the enrolment rate has doubled and more teachers have been attracted to the schools.

Teachers receive refresher training and community volunteers are trained by World Vision to teach adult literacy classes. Literacy courses focus on themes relevant to the adults’ daily lives such as farming, forestry, health and handcrafts. In this way, they not only learn to read and write, but also learn other skills they may not have had access to, e.g. modern methods of agriculture.

Skills training
Youth vocational training is available in such subjects as tailoring, carpentry and fabric design. Students are taught skills that help them become independent and earn an income, and are encouraged to apply for loans to start up small businesses. The communities benefit, as they are able to purchase goods such as furniture and clothing locally, without the expense of travelling to other areas.

Income generation
Household income is improved through the formation of small businesses. Community members group together to learn about small business management, marketing, record keeping and basic accounts. They are then encouraged to apply for loans from the ADP’s revolving loan scheme. Around 70 percent of the participants are women. A Credit Committee, consisting of World Vision staff and trained community volunteers, selects loan candidates and monitors the groups’ progress.

Agriculture
Farmers receive training in modern farming methods. As the land is heavily deforested, the ADP encourages widespread tree planting throughout the area. The people have responded positively to the training, planting both fruit trees and trees for firewood.

Water
To increase the community’s access to clean water, the ADP drills boreholes, constructs shallow wells, installs rainwater tanks at schools and trains Water Source Committees (WSC). Women make up 40 percent of the committees, which are responsible for monitoring and maintaining these water sources. The communities pay a water users’ fee to pay for future maintenance costs. People plant vegetable gardens around the boreholes, enhancing the environment, providing added income and improving families’ diet.