Pakwach, Uganda

After 13 years of hard work, the people of Puvona have improved their education, health, sanitation, access to water and income opportunities. A community-based organisation has been formed and community leaders are trained and ready to continue with the development initiatives that are making such a difference to their lives, so World Vision’s assistance is no longer required.

This report lists the ways the people of Puvona have been helped.

Teenagers from Puvona learned clothing design and tailoring so they can earn a steady income.

Children

• Supported sponsored children with medical treatment, school uniforms, stationery, bed sheets, clothes and goats.
• Provided 60 children from families highly affected by HIV/AIDS with mosquito nets, clothes, shoes, bed sheets and heifers. These items have helped to improve their standard of living and the milk from heifers will provide a steady source of income.

Education

• Assisted three primary schools by constructing a total of 16 classrooms, supplying 110 two-person desks and constructing sanitary toilets.
• Provided water tanks for Pajobi Primary School and Pakwach Senior Secondary School.
• Trained school management committees and the Primary Teachers Association in skills that will help them to better manage the schools.
• Supported 12 young people to undertake vocational training in carpentry and tailoring.
• Trained over 1,200 adults to read and write.

Health

• Trained eight people as community health workers in association with the District Health Service and provided each with a bicycle. These health workers educated community members in hygiene practises, resulting in a reduction in the incidence of malaria, diarrhoea and worms.
• Trained 17 Traditional Birth Attendants in modern childbirth methods and provided them with delivery kits. Each of the birth attendants handles at least two deliveries a month.
• Trained HIV/AIDS counsellors to educate the community about HIV/AIDS and provide counselling and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

New water boreholes have reduced the time it takes to collect water.

Water and sanitation

• Drilled five water boreholes and four shallow wells.
• Held annual health campaigns in the 16 villages of Puvona community.
• Trained nine water source committees to manage water resources in schools and villages.

Income generation

• Provided loans to 106 people so they could set up small businesses. The loans were administered through 15 loan groups. Through the groups, beneficiaries were taught small business skills and simple book keeping.

Leadership development

• Trained 32 elected members of project committees in planning and project management. The project committees will continue to monitor projects after World Vision has completed its work in Puvona.