"Choose Life": Three Paths to Autonomy in Karamoja

Strengthening Livelihoods in Karamoja: Our Support to Choose Life Home Based Care

In 2025, the Costa Family Foundation is supporting a new project in Uganda’s Karamoja region through its partnership with Choose Life Home Based Care (CLHBC). This 9-month intervention targets the most vulnerable communities in Moroto District—families affected by poverty, HIV/AIDS, and food insecurity—by investing in three practical and sustainable livelihood pillars: microcredit, agroforestry, and beekeeping.

The Context: Chronic Vulnerability

Karamoja is one of Uganda’s most fragile regions. Prolonged drought, early lean seasons, low agricultural productivity and limited income-generating opportunities create a cycle of food insecurity and poverty. Choose Life Home Based Care has worked in the region since 2007, supporting over 1,000 people in eight sub-counties of Moroto.

Despite progress, income remains low, and families continue to face limited access to food, healthcare, and education. This project addresses the structural causes of that vulnerability with three targeted initiatives.

1. Microcredit Diversification: A Grinding Machine Enterprise

Target group: 20 women from the Oyara Ka-Apei savings group
Goal: Provide an alternative income source to strengthen savings and household income.

Actions:

• Delivery and installation of 1 diesel-powered grinding machine.

• Financial literacy training and business management sessions (2 days).

• Startup fuel support (120 litres) and guidance on maintenance and operations.

Expected outcome:

• A steady income stream from grain milling (estimated UGX 50,000/day).

• Increased group savings and repayment capacity.

• Diversification of income sources for all 20 members.

2. Agroforestry and Cereal Production Expansion

Target group: 2 farmers' groups, 40 members in total
Goal: Enhance food security and market resilience by expanding crop diversity.

Actions:

• Cultivation of 40 acres of cereal crops (maize, sorghum, beans) alongside vegetables.

• Provision of farm tools (hoes, pickaxes) and vegetable/cereal seeds.

• 3-day training on modern farming, soil conservation, and marketing.

Expected output:

• Broader food base for community markets, schools, and restaurants.

• Reduced reliance on single crops.

• Strengthened agroforestry systems and income diversification.

3. Apiary Value Addition for Beekeeping Groups

Target group: 2 existing apiary groups (21 beekeepers)
Goal: Strengthen income generation through honey processing and sales.

Actions:

• UGX 10.5 million in startup capital to buy and process raw honey.

• 3-day training in honey quality control, processing, hygiene, and marketing.

• Provision of 2 honey testers (refractometers) for product quality assurance.

Expected result:

• Short-term income while waiting for hive colonization.

• Improved quality and marketability of honey.

• Enhanced business and financial literacy among beekeepers.

Monitoring, Team, and Governance

• The project includes monthly monitoring, quarterly stakeholder meetings, and regular reporting to donors.

• Four local staff (project coordinator, financial mentor, and two field workers) will oversee implementation.

• Active collaboration with district officials, agricultural officers, and local leaders ensures institutional alignment and transparency.

Long-Term Sustainability

The project builds on 17 years of experience by CLHBC and relies on a combination of:

• Capacity building before asset delivery;

• Community ownership, through responsibility for construction and maintenance;

• Revenue reinvestment, with savings groups committing to repay machine costs after 2 years to fund new equipment for others;

• Crop diversification and value-added processing, improving resilience to climate and market shocks.

This intervention is a concrete example of what we mean by cooperation with impact. It improves daily life while creating the structural conditions for autonomy. It’s not emergency relief—it’s an investment in people’s capacity to change their own future.