Choose Life: Cultivating Resilience

Cultivating Resilience: The Choose Life Home Based Care Project in Moroto (2021)

The Costa Family Foundation and Insieme si può... (ISP) are proud to share the progress of the "Choose Life Home Based Care (CLHBC)" project in Moroto, Uganda, as detailed in its December 2021 final report. This initiative is designed to empower individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS through vital vocational training and support for income-generating activities.

Laying the Groundwork for Empowerment

From September to November 2021, CLHBC meticulously assessed and identified 75 beneficiaries based on their needs and community impact. These individuals were then mobilized for an orientation meeting, setting the stage for their journey toward self-reliance. ISP Moroto's field office, as the implementing partner, played a crucial role in delivering specialized training, ensuring that essential knowledge and skills were effectively transferred to the beneficiaries.

The project focused on three key areas:

• Financial literacy: 35 women received training in financial management and business skills.
• Agroforestry: 31 farmers (30 direct beneficiaries and 1 staff member for ongoing support) were trained in sustainable agricultural practices.
• Beekeeping: 10 experienced farmers received refresher training in beekeeping, management, and honey processing.

While activities were partially implemented by the end of 2021, the comprehensive execution and a full monitoring and evaluation report were planned for the subsequent quarter. CLHBC's immediate focus remained on close follow-up to strengthen and support beneficiaries in their new ventures.

Empowering Women: Skills for Self-Reliance

The project prioritized women's empowerment, equipping women living with HIV/AIDS with practical knowledge to achieve self-reliance. All activities aimed to improve their skills in managing businesses and personal finances, enhance the quality and variety of food in their families, and increase their knowledge in beekeeping, honey processing, and income generation.

Financial Literacy and Income Generating Support

CLHBC identified 60% new beneficiaries and 40% "old" beneficiaries from previous years whose businesses had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Women were briefed on project conditions, including a 40% return on funds to support future beneficiaries, and the formation of village saving groups (VSLA).

A three-day financial literacy training, supported by a voluntary manager from Stanbic Bank, covered financial literacy, business management, savings, record keeping, and customer care. The training aimed to improve beneficiaries' skills and encourage them to start viable income-generating activities (IGAs). After research and proposal approval, 35 women received an initial 300,000 Ugandan shillings as start-up capital, with the remaining 200,000 shillings to be disbursed in the next quarter. Their businesses include small restaurants, petty trade, quarrying, butchery, and selling street food, charcoal, and processed groundnuts.

Key Achievements:

• All 35 women were trained and supported; their businesses are operational and viable.
• The women formed a saving group, meeting weekly at the CLHBC office, accumulating 7,155,000 Ugandan shillings in savings (including welfare, remittances, membership fees, and fines) within three months.
• 33 out of 35 women remitted their 40% contribution, ensuring funds for future project cycles.
• Beneficiaries are now fully engaged in their businesses, leading to a reduction in issues like violence, poor medication adherence, and drug abuse.
• Dependence on CLHBC for food, medicine, and rent has decreased significantly as beneficiaries can now cater to their basic family needs.

Agroforestry Training

Recognizing agroforestry as a vital source of food and income in Karamoja, CLHBC and ISP trained 31 farmers (30 direct beneficiaries and 1 staff member) in vegetable growing and tree planting. The two-day practical training focused on modern farming methods, pest and disease control, and sharing experiences.

Beneficiaries received vegetable seeds (tomatoes, onions, spinach, green pepper, Sukuma wiki), fruit and wood seedlings (oranges, guavas, mangoes, jackfruit, neem, Grevillea, acacia), and essential farm tools (machetes, hoes, watering cans).

Key Achievements:

• 28 farmers successfully planted their seedlings on time.
• 21 farmers planted various vegetables, including cowpeas, Sukuma, tomatoes, spinach, and green pepper.
• CLHBC provided land at their office compound with water access for farmers living far from water sources, enabling continued cultivation of drought-resistant crops like cowpeas, which provide both income and food.

Beekeeping/Apiary Training

A refresher training was provided to 10 existing farmers, focusing on apiary management, monitoring, inspection, harvesting, and honey processing. The project aimed to diversify their knowledge and add more beehives. CLHBC facilitated the training with support from ISP Moroto and provided 20 beehives.

In collaboration with CLIDE Consultancy, a renowned organization in apiary training, CLHBC and ISP conducted follow-ups, identifying the need for beehive stands. 20 stands were procured and fixed, secured with cement, sand, and aggregates to prevent theft and protect the beehives from fire and animals.

Key Achievements:

• All 10 new beehives were correctly placed on the stands.
• Four new beehives in the Singila apiary group were successfully colonized with strong colonies.
• The Singila apiary group harvested 35 liters of filtered honey from their old beehives, generating 630,000 Ugandan shillings in sales.
• Despite a fire outbreak affecting the Nadiket group, only two beehives remained colonized, yielding 2 liters of filtered honey, with another expected harvest soon.
• Farmers greatly appreciate the support, recognizing beekeeping as a significant business opportunity in Karamoja for family sustenance.

Challenges and Recommendations

The project faced several challenges:

• Insecurity: Raids for cattle theft threatened businesses and farmers' access to gardens and water. CLHBC encouraged vigilance and business flexibility for safety.
• Poor Business Shelter: Dust, heat, and lack of electricity affected small businesses. Women are encouraged to strengthen savings to build better structures.
• COVID-19 Curfew and Competition: Curfews impacted late-evening sales, and high competition in small markets affected new businesses. Beneficiaries are encouraged to be flexible and committed.
• Harsh Weather: Excessive rains during the wet season and prolonged dry spells with water shortages challenged agroforestry. Farmers near water sources are encouraged to continue irrigation, while others wait for rains.
• Apiary Pests: Termites, ants, spiders, and wasps affected beehive colonization. Farmers are advised to apply oil to wires and stands and maintain routine cleaning and baiting.
• Lack of Monitoring Suits/Tools: One member of the Singila apiary group lacked personal tools, hindering her full participation.

Despite these obstacles, the project's adaptive strategies and the resilience of the beneficiaries continue to drive positive change. The provision of beehive stands significantly improved the safety and manageability of apiary sites.

Looking Ahead

The CLHBC project, supported by the Costa Family Foundation and ISP, continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in Moroto. By equipping individuals with practical skills and vital resources, it's fostering self-reliance and building a stronger, healthier future.