Nourishing water

Water of Hope: The "Wine to Water" Project Irrigates Life in Moroto

In the heart of Karamoja, Uganda, the Costa Family Foundation and STI Internazionale, through the "Wine to Water 2023" project, have brought fundamental change to the "Gift of Mary Learning Centre" in Katanaga. In collaboration with local partner ISP in Africa, an irrigation system has been installed that is transforming the lives of hundreds of children, ensuring food and education in one of the region's most vulnerable areas.

A Difficult Context, a Concrete Commitment

Karamoja is a semi-arid region, plagued by drought and extreme poverty. An estimated 66% of the Karimojong live below the poverty line, with almost half a million people suffering from hunger. Malnutrition is a serious problem, especially among children and pregnant women. In this scenario, school meals are often the only guaranteed meal of the day for many children, also serving as an incentive for families to send them to school.

The "Gift of Mary Learning Centre," managed by the Missionaries of Charity Sisters of Mother Teresa, welcomes 300 children in their early primary grades. The school also hosts a large vegetable garden and an orchard, vital sources of vegetables, legumes, and fruits for the students and the 200 orphanage guests managed by the Sisters. Part of the harvest is also distributed to the surrounding vulnerable communities.

Objectives and Actions for a Better Future

The "Wine to Water 2023" project set a general objective: to combat malnutrition and increase food security, ensuring a healthier and more balanced diet for students and the population of Karamoja. The specific goal was to improve the diet of 500 children and young people in the Moroto area.

Activities focused on:

• Well motorization and irrigation system installation: Between January and March 2023, the existing well was motorized and connected to a 1000-liter tank placed on a tank tower. From there, a distribution system with 15 water points equipped with taps was created, strategically positioned to irrigate the garden. Two school staff members received training on the maintenance and proper use of the system.
• Continuous monitoring: ISP staff conducted monthly monitoring from March to September 2023 to evaluate the system's operation and its use by the garden managers, consistently finding proper functioning.

The Results: Water that Fuels Hope

The project brought immediate and tangible benefits. As early as the month following the completion of the work, improvements in the garden and harvests were recorded. Even during the dry season, thanks to the irrigation system, it was possible to ensure the harvesting of vegetables and fruits, demonstrating the project's effectiveness and usefulness in providing fresh food to over 500 children and young people.

This means continuous access to a richer and healthier diet, essential for children's growth and development, and significant relief for families struggling with food insecurity.

Investing in Life: The Financial Report

The project had a planned budget of 36,392,000 UGX (approximately €9,576.84) and actual expenditure of 36,627,000 UGX (approximately €9,638.68), with an exchange rate of 3800 UGX to 1 Euro.

Main expenses included:

• Irrigation system installation: 35,892,000 UGX (€9,445.26), transferred to the company Savio Ojugu Entrerprises for material purchase and installation.
• Monitoring and operational expenses: 735,000 UGX (€193.42), covering costs such as lunch for workers and material purchase for digging channels.

The "Wine to Water" project at the "Gift of Mary Learning Centre" is a clear example of how targeted intervention in water access can transform an arid environment into a source of life. The Costa Family Foundation is proud to support initiatives that not only address basic needs but also build a more dignified and sustainable future for the most vulnerable communities.