Choose Life: Empowering Lives in Moroto

Empowering Lives in Moroto: The Choose Life Home Based Care Project

The Costa Family Foundation and Associazione Gruppi "Insieme si può..." ONLUS-ONG (ISP) are proud to present the final report for the 2023 "Choose Life Home Based Care (CLHBC)" project. This initiative has been a beacon of hope, providing vital vocational training, microcredit, and savings groups to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS in the Moroto District of Uganda, fostering self-reliance and improving overall well-being.

A Journey of Empowerment: Building on Past Success

The 2023 project built upon the foundations laid in 2022, continuously striving to improve sustainable livelihood options for those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Before embarking on new activities, CLHBC conducted a thorough evaluation with past beneficiaries, revealing widespread appreciation and gratitude for the profound changes the project brought to their lives. Improvements were noted in health, children's education, business ventures, and household expenses like food, rent, and medication.

This feedback was crucial. While overwhelmingly positive, the evaluation also highlighted a minor gap: 5 out of 35 women from the 2022 income-generating activities (IGA) savings group were no longer active. In response, CLHBC, in consultation with Costa Family Foundation and ISP, identified 5 new beneficiaries to join a newly formed group, ensuring the project's reach remained consistent. Armed with this positive reinforcement and a clearer understanding of needs, CLHBC confidently proceeded with the 2023 implementation.

Key Achievements in 2023

The year 2023 saw the full implementation of all planned project activities:

1. Beneficiary Identification: A total of 91 beneficiaries were identified across three activity groups: 50 for Income Generating Activities (IGA), 30 for Agroforestry, and 11 for Apiary. The project proudly supported 65 women and 26 men.
2. Comprehensive Training: Participants received specialized training in financial literacy, agroforestry, and apiary management.
3. Financial and Material Support: Two savings groups for the 50 microcredit beneficiaries received direct financial support to boost their savings and provide start-up capital for their businesses. Material support was also provided to the agroforestry and apiary groups.
4. Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation: CLHBC, with daily, monthly, and quarterly input from activity group leaders, CLHBC field workers, and ISP staff, maintained continuous monitoring and evaluation, a process that will continue to ensure ongoing support and follow-up.

Detailed Activities and Their Impact

1. Income Generating Activities (IGA) and Savings Groups

This core activity empowered HIV-positive beneficiaries with financial literacy and direct financial support to launch small Income Generating Activities (IGAs). Beneficiaries were also supported in forming savings groups to promote business growth and long-term economic independence.

• Beneficiary Identification: The project continued to support the Oseutu Akiyar savings group (30 women) from 2022 and welcomed a new group, Oyara Ka-Apei savings group (15 women and 5 men). The new beneficiaries were selected from over 200 registered individuals living with HIV/AIDS, prioritizing the most vulnerable without land or those renting in Moroto town.
• Financial Literacy Training: A 5-day intensive training (February 13-17, 2023) equipped 20 new IGA beneficiaries with essential financial knowledge and skills, including personal financial management, saving culture, responsible loan management (with a 10% interest for group growth), and investment strategies. The training also included a valuable market trip for practical insights into viable businesses.
• Financial Support: Both savings groups received substantial financial support: Oseutu Akiyar received 9,000,000 Ugandan Shillings, and Oyara Ka-Apei received 9,000,000 Ugandan Shillings. The funds were disbursed in two phases (February and May 2023), allowing group members to access loans for their businesses, fostering growth and shared responsibility. The initial budget for new beneficiaries was adjusted slightly from UGX 500,000 to UGX 450,000 per person to accommodate the added members.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular field visits by CLHBC and ISP confirmed significant improvements in beneficiaries' lives. 47 out of 50 beneficiaries now run fully functional businesses with visible stock. Key improvements include:
  • Improved health: Beneficiaries can afford medication and have improved diets, reducing stress and substance abuse.
  • Increased school enrollment: Profits enable beneficiaries to contribute to their children's school fees and requirements.
  • Reduced financial burden: Most active beneficiaries no longer struggle with rent and medical bills.
  • Progressed savings and group development: Both groups are actively saving and generating interest, enabling them to achieve future goals. By May 2023, Oseutu Akiyar had accumulated over 14,577,600 UGX in savings, and Oyara Ka-Apei had 5,905,500 UGX.

2. Agroforestry

This activity focused on building the capacity of 30 farmers (15 male and 15 female) in vegetable growing and tree planting, aiming to improve food supply for HIV/AIDS-affected families and promote environmental conservation.

• Identification and Training: Farmers from Musupo parish were identified and mobilized in consultation with local authorities. A 2-day training (June 5-6, 2023) covered theoretical and practical aspects of agroforestry, including land preparation, spacing, manure application, pest control, and environmental conservation. The training was conducted at the demonstration garden site, allowing for practical application.
• Material Support: Following the training, CLHBC distributed various vegetable seeds (tomato, onion, cabbage, sukuma wick, spinach, eggplant, "entula," green pepper, and cowpeas) and agricultural tools (hoes, pangas, gumboots, watering cans, rakes). Fruit trees (mangoes, guavas, oranges, avocados, pawpaws) and wood trees (neem, Garcina, white tick, senna siamea, Grevillea) are currently being procured for distribution to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Six elected group leaders diligently monitor daily activities, ensuring smooth operations like transplanting, weeding, pruning, watering, and spraying. Farmers have already begun benefiting, using some harvested vegetables for consumption and selling the rest, accumulating 30,000 UGX in savings. They plan to form a savings group to further develop their initiative. The main challenge remains water availability and dry weather.

3. Apiary

This activity aimed to empower 11 beneficiaries (6 male and 5 female) in beekeeping, honey processing, value addition, and marketing to improve household income.

• Identification and Training: Beneficiaries were identified in Musupo parish, chosen for its suitable environment with rivers and abundant trees. A one-day training (March 23, 2023) covered bee biology, importance of beekeeping, apiary management, and equipment. Practical sessions included baiting, smoking, and installing beehives, with 10 out of 20 beehives installed. An experienced 11th member was added to serve as a model farmer.
• Material Support: CLHBC delivered 20 beehives (exceeding the initial budget of 10) and comprehensive monitoring and inspection tools, including gumboots, smokers, harvesting knives, bee suits, brushes, sieve cloths, buckets, and gloves. All materials are shared and managed collectively by the Nyukii Apiary Group Musupo.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Group leaders and CLHBC/ISP staff regularly monitor the apiary activities. While there has been low bee movement due to high temperatures and dry weather, impacting tree flowering and water sources, the group remains hopeful for the next rainy season (early October 2023) for increased colonization.

Conclusion

The "Choose Life Home Based Care" project has brought about significant and gradual change in the lives of 91 beneficiaries. This support has notably improved medication adherence and overall health for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, it has led to increased enrollment and retention of beneficiaries' children in schools, as families can now afford school fees and requirements. The project has fostered a newfound self-dependency, allowing beneficiaries to meet household needs like food, rent, and medical bills, and crucially, to reintegrate and socialize within their communities, overcoming previous barriers of stigma and discrimination.

The success of this project is a testament to the power of targeted support and community collaboration in creating lasting positive change.