Sowing Hope (between school desks)

Today we are in the heart of Karamoja, a region in north-eastern Uganda of rare beauty and great complexity. Here, where the landscape is marked by the extreme alternation of relentless sunshine and short, roaring rains, communities struggle every day to find a balance between nature and survival. And yet, this very land, so harsh and generous at the same time, becomes the centre of a new future, a seed of hope that grows among the schoolchildren.

In this region, more than half a million people live in conditions of severe food insecurity, and among them are more than 90,000 children and almost 10,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women, all suffering from acute malnutrition. For the Karimojong, a nomadic people who have always been pastoralists, finding pasture and water is an increasing challenge. Drought and climate change aggravate their situation, and eveneducation becomes a difficult path: in Moroto, only 13% of adults can read and write, and 80% of children drop out of school before completing it.

Walking through the schools of Moroto, we meet the smiles of the children, their eyes shining with curiosity and dreams. For many, the meal they receive at school is the only one of the day, a strong reason to continue attending. We are visiting with the ‘Together we can...’ team, which has been working for years to fight hunger in Karamoja and ensure that these children can study.

The initiative focuses on two fundamental aspects: food security and schooling. In six schools in the region, school gardens have become a tangible reality. Here, teachers, pupils and parents learn the basics of agroforestry together, with the support of experts and the delivery of seeds and tools. Together, they plant, harvest and learn how to make the most of resources, so that school meals are no longer limited to beans and polenta. It is a small revolution, uniting the community around the value of food and education.

Looking at the work these communities do with such dedication, we realise that the true value of the project lies in its sustainability. School and community gardens not only improve the quality of meals, but also allow parents to save what they earn to support their children's education and basic needs. Moreover, thanks to the repaired and upgraded rainwater collection system, the schools can rely on a water source even in the driest seasons.

As we leave Karamoja, we take with us the image of these green gardens, of children, teachers and parents intent on working together. In this corner of Uganda, the land itself becomes an instrument of change, and communities, united, build a future where Karimojong children can study and grow strong.