This project will help: 254 children and their families
Completion date: July 2023
Country: Uganda
Executive summary
The catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly been felt around the globe, but nowhere more acutely than in Low and Middle Income Countries. Some nations in Sub-Saharan Africa have been set back eight to nine years in the fight to reduce extreme poverty.
Lockdowns caused enormous distress on the Ugandan national economy, especially for vulnerable households that didn’t have many options for survival. Caregivers living in Kashongi, Kazo and Kashwa, Uganda, used their entire life savings to keep their children alive during the COVID-19 lockdowns when there was no work to be found. Compassions frontline church partners had to close suddenly, with no way of reaching their beneficiaries. Children and their parents had to shelter at home with no work, no food and no hope.
While churches and workplaces were closed and caregivers couldn’t even visit loved ones, they became acutely aware of their need to diversify economic activities instead of relying on others for daily labour or assistance. Parents of Compassion beneficiaries have been adamant in asking for help to establish sustainable household income and food security, so they won’t feel so vulnerable the next time work and food are scarce.
Caregivers have expressed great interest in learning goat and pig rearing. They are hopeful that if they are supported in their farming endeavours, they can strengthen their household security—ensuring they have enough food for their growing children, as well as extra money to pay for school, medicine and other necessities. Compassion’s frontline church partners are eager to support these determined caregivers in improving their living conditions and lifting their children out of poverty—but are hindered by their limited church income.
With your critical financial support, 254 families in rural Uganda will be given the tools and training to establish their own sustainable, independent animal rearing practices. Together, Compassion-assisted children and their caregivers will have the opportunity to acquire valuable skills and bond as families as they care for their animals and enjoy the fruit of their labour.
Did you know?
Uganda, a land-locked country in East Africa, produces more food than it consumes—yet poverty restricts vulnerable families from accessing nutrient-dense food. According to the World Food Programme, 29 per cent of children under age 5 are physically stunted due to malnutrition.
Summary
Background
Three frontline church partners in Kashongi (UG0244), Kazo (UG0224) and Kashwa (UG0225), Uganda, desire to release 254 beneficiaries from poverty in Jesus’ name. One third of the caregivers are single mothers. Others live in dysfunctional homes where fathers are present but not engaged in their children’s development. Eleven per cent of these homes are youth led.
Almost one third of the families own small parcels of land but lack the economic capital to purchase animals to carry out their own livestock production. With your investment, churches plan to build on the little that rural caregivers have to grow their earning potential and food security—so children are no longer hungry, and parents are no longer fearful.
The key measures of sustainability in animal husbandry are the reproduction of more animals and the application of proper farming methods. Goats can produce one to three kids twice per year, while pigs can delivery six to twelve piglets at a time. Upon delivery of the goats and pigs, each caregiver will make a commitment to protect and care for the animals. Parents will be coached in economic sustainability, such as saving a portion of their earnings to expand their livestock productivity by acquiring more animals or land.
The need
In light of the tragic effect of the pandemic lockdowns on household security, Compassion is intentional in supporting the most impoverished households to gain sustainable means of living. With your financial support, three church partners in Uganda will encourage 254 families in sustainable economic household security by providing the training and raw materials to launch their own goat or pig rearing practices.
Participants will learn safe, sustainable farming methods from veterinary officers, including animal tagging, building appropriate shelters, vaccinations and medicines and disease control, as well as ongoing veterinary services to ensure the animals remain in good health. By strengthening household security and gaining self-sufficiency, families will be less vulnerable and more resilient in times of adversity. As they gain confidence, build community with other farming families and practice relevant life skills, children and parents can joyfully climb out of poverty together.
What your gift will do
Your gift will equip caregivers to increase their household economic security by raising livestock:
- Goat rearing for 258 households (3 to 4 goats per family)
- Pig rearing for 15 households (3 pigs per family)
- Animal pen construction
- Transportation
- Animal tagging and labour
- Training for facilitators and caregivers
- Veterinary services
- Prescription drugs for animals
- Monitoring and follow-up
Logistics
- Handling of funds: Compassion Uganda will ensure this intervention remains within budget.
- Local contributions: US$152,558.11
- Monitoring and follow-up: Church partners will monitor household animal rearing practices. Families will be placed in groups so they can collaborate and provide accountability for each other’s animal rearing practices. Compassion will provide follow-up to ensure the intervention’s success and sustainability.