Global Fund for Women that supports women movement for gender justice, equity and equality worldwide, in a long-term partnership with Ntulume Village Women Development Association (NVIWODA), has enabled the organization to tremendously change the mindset of women in various districts in Uganda.
In Gomba District – Kabulasoke, NVIWODA under the food security project, and applying various empowering interventions, ranging from entrepreneurship, agricultural education, creating awareness on gender, land rights, awareness on preventing domestic abuse in relationship, ICTs and supporting the farmers with productive farm tools, seeds,to enhance food production in addition new resource-based modern farming practices and low-cost rain water harvesting tanks technologies has been introduced.
This is aimed at holistically enabling poor rural woman farmer to fully gain knowledge insights that could lead them to overcoming poverty, prevent poor health and sustainably curb down food insecurity.
Educating and supporting the rural women farmers, developed a changed mindset, through using the ladder of life to define the wellbeing of women through education, physical support, mentoring, encouraging and increasing awareness on issues of food insecurity and climatic changes, which were identified during the various baseline and impact surveys combined with various focus group discussions with farmers. All these strategies of interventions are improving effectiveness towards changing the mindset of a rural woman and move her to another ladder.
In these pictures women are discussing how their lives has been three years ago and how it has changed now due to applying good farming natural organic practices, and growing varieties of vegetables using multi storied gardens and other backyard basket gardens in addition to food crops.
In order to achieve positive actions from the women farmer beneficiaries, the NVIWODA team traverses the 11 Parishes of Kabulasoke to closely monitor the food security project.
Women testify that in their community, they are quite unique as they lack no food, because they grow varieties i.e. cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas and vegetable, in addition to coffee for income generation. “We also rear animals to able us acquire manure to fertilize our soils “they said.
On 31st August, 2022, women farmers of Nezikokolima Women’s Group from Kabulasoke sub-county – celebrated their achievements and livelihood successes for participating in the food security program, which is funded by Global Fund for Women (GFW) and implemented by Ntulume Village Women Development Association (NVIWODA).
Under the program women testify that, their partnership with NVIWODA has created inspiring stories of empowerment to celebrate over, and over Ninety households have benefited from the food security program.
Kabulasoke Sub County like other sub-counties in Gomba District, used to experience food insecurity, poor livelihoods, lack of safe water, domestic violence in homes and lack of knowledge on land rights. Women labored in farming and lacked farming knowledge which affected families living in this area.
In 2012, Ntulume Village Women Development Association (NVIWODA) started activities to empower rural women farmers in two districts of Uganda namely Mpigi and Gomba District. The organization intervened with a food security program to skill women in knowledge on sustainable and integrated agriculture, aiming at improving their livelihoods and enabling them to tackle food insecurity at home and earn from sale of surplus to earn an income.
NVIWODA trained the women in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, domestic violence prevention and land rights awareness as a holistic approach to empower a rural woman farmer.
NVIWODA working with community women groups (CBOs) like Nezikokolima Women group and other groups, has helped in mobilizing fellow women whose lives depend on agriculture.
These are the benefits women groups have gained Considering the and they thought it befitting to celebrate their achievements. Invited guests included NVIWODA, Gomba District Woman Member of Parliament, who was represented by the former speaker Mrs. Natukunda Olivia Mpuga, Kabulasoke Sub County Community Development Officer Mr. Lubega Godfrey and neighboring Maddu Sub County Mrs. Beatrice Namukasa. Other invited guests included community local leaders, community members and husbands to the women.
These women group members are ardent time keepers and arrived at Kabulasoke Sub County Venue where they were excited to see Ms. Cissy Edith Nyarwa attend the celebration; they say Cissy Nyarwa and NVIWODA gave the women of Kabulasoke subcounty a ray of hope to change their lives for the better. “NVIWODA exhibited hard work and monitored us closely until our lives have changed, we are grateful and happy” one of the women at the function commented.
The Master of ceremonies was Mary Nantumbwe who is also a beneficiary of the program. She was an inspirational speaker, quite active and kept the function and fellow women lively till the end.
There was a surprise for NVIWODA, where the office of Gomba Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Nayebare Sylvia, gave a beautiful Award of Appreciation to Cissy Nyarwa, for fighting for the rights of women through education in food security, wealth creation, human rights awareness, providing farm tools, rain water harvesting tanks, and introducing vegetable growing technologies. in addition to providing seeds. NVIWODA also trained the women in use of digital technologies.
Gomba District is a food stressed area and had cases of domestic violence, generated by failure of husbands to provide for their families, coupled by poverty that culminated into domestic violence. But NVIWODA intervened in the food security at household level and this is what seems to have prompted the office of the District Member of Woman Member of parliament (M.P) who represents all women in parliament and is responsible for legislating for the wellbeing of women
Gomba District Woman MP Hon. Sylvia Nayebare awarded Cissy Edith Nyarwa for her diligence in changing lives of women in her area. Credit goes to entire the NVIWODA members who have become role models of women in development in country.
Due to the trainings which NVIWODA conducted in Kabulasoke Subcounty, the women testified before the guests the lessons they had learnt as follows: –
Member husband testimonies
Husbands gave moving testimonies before the guests, showing how their wives changed their homes and they feel proud of them.
Pastor Buyinza said “I am here representing my wife, who is suffering from a stroke, before she fell sick, she was a pillar in the home to the extent that I did not know the sources of food in my home, until I began facing challenges in securing enough food for the children. I have now learnt to grow vegetables, as sauce and this has solved my problem.”
“With rain water harvesting tank provided by NVIWODA, myself and the children, we will be able to grow vegetables throughout the year, so that we do not lack what to eat. Wherever, I go, I collect seeds”, he testified. He gave the guests two rules of life namely cleanliness of our bodies, homes and feeding well.” Life is wealth “he concluded.
He surprised the guests, when he said that when one visits the home of members empowered by NVIWODA, one can notice a difference. He concluded by telling others to “Be the light and teach others.”
Buganda Kingdom Chief – Sabagabo John Mukunya thanked, NVIWODA for empowering women and having a generous heart to help others. He applauded the women for acquiring knowledge, applying it and being practical.
Male Abdallah requested NVIWODA to promote gender equality and involve men in their programs as men also lack knowledge. While Ms.Namukasa Beatrice CDO Maddu Sub County,appreciated NVIWODA for developing women in Kabulasoke Sub County-Gomba District. She also thanked the women for being able to learn and practice what they had been taught. She hailed training women in self-sustenance compounding them into good leaders. She added that if a woman has knowledge, there is happiness in a home and domestic violence is reduced.
She emphasized that husbands are also proud when their homes are developed. She concluded by imploring NVIWODA to extend an olive branch to Maddu Sub- County where women are worse off.
The Community Development officer Kabulasoke Sub County Mr. Godfrey Lubega appreciated Nezikokolima women group for being united and working together.
He also pledged to support women initiatives in Kabulasoke Sub -County by linking them to opportunities in Government programs, so that their families become role models in the whole District, in growth and development.
Voices of women farmers of Kabulasoke Sub- County.
One of the members, Janat testified that “…I am a woman who never bothered about anything but after the training, I envied other women and learnt to practice modern agriculture, which has changed my life “I am going to be rich in near future”.
Janat’s impact is great, she owns three fish ponds; has a high breed cow, rears chicken and sells chicken products like eggs. Her grandchildren enjoy a rich breakfast every day. “I have planted over 100 trees of coffee which generate income for me.” Janat said “I do not buy food anymore, because I grow enough for my family and for sale.” She added, “With rain water harvesting tank technology, I will not lack.” She concluded.
Janat also took us through her stages of development; “…at first, I used to ride a bicycle” she said that later on she bought a motorcycle and hopes to buy a car in future. She also thanked NVIWODA for the ICT trainings because she can now utilize her phone to do business effectively
The Secretary of Nezikokolima women group Annet Nakamya has been instrumental in the success of women in her community. Nakamya began her journey life in development with NVIWODA in 2006 when she met Ms. Nyarwa who visited Lubaale/ Mpigi Development Project, to train women in juice processing and baking skills.
She testified that she continued to work with NVIWODA after she had been trained, mentored and skilled, despite her low educational level, I am quite a better woman. “I now have no difficulty in speaking English and have continued to attend more workshop’s that have improved my confidence. Annet Nakamya in partnership with Solar Sisters, was a pioneer in marketing solar lamps in Kabulasoke and today every home has a solar system for lighting.
Nakamya also said that training in Integrated and sustainable agriculture and other related programmes conducted by NVIWODA has added to the wellbeing of her family. “I am self-reliant and run a food catering service as my business in addition to making liquid soap and mushroom growing.” Nakamya added that she is a woman activist in her community and a mobiliser of other women.
She appreciated the CDO’s support and thanked all women who entrusted her to lead them.
Mr. Kawooya Siraj is a husband to NambiJustine who benefitted from training infood security. During the interview she said that her life has changed. “I rear cows, rabbits, goats, hens, I get manure from all my projects, which has sustained my Banana Plantation.” She added that she feeds the land for the land to feed her. “I no longer buy food instead I sale to earn income” she said the wheel barrow provided by NVIWODA has helped her in transporting manure to the banana plantation, which is away from home.
At her home, Nambi, had planted carrots in the multi storied garden. it was well fenced and protected from cows, goats, and ducks.
We also spoke to one of Nambi’s grandchildren- Mutebi Mathew 14yrs who helps her grandmother to feed the goats, hens, rabbits and ducks, whenever she is not around.
Teaching children is another achievement NVIWODA is proud of for sustainability of the program.
Mary appreciated NVIWODA, for organizing leadership training for girls together with the women. “This leadership training has given my daughter a wonderful opportunity to learn from senior mothers and she now counsels her fellow students to avoid early marriages and encourages them to study first.” Mary said.
Speech by District Speaker Mrs. Mpuga Olivia Nankunda
Mrs.Mpuga Olivia Nankunda, is one of the thirteen executives of National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), she represented Gomba District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Sylvia Nayebare.
She thanked NVIWODA and leaders for the good work they are doing for the families in Kabulasoke Subcounty, especially the women who have confidence to support the family. She presented to Nyarwa Cissy Edith an Award of Appreciation bestowed by the office of the Parliament of Uganda of the Woman MP -Gomba District.
Nankunda urged women to ensure they wipe out of poverty from their homes and benefit from the new Government Parish Development Model program (P.D.M.). She advised the women to approach the office of the Parish Chief, who is responsible for the P.D.M program at every parish. She also urged NVIWODA to extend services to other sub counties, like Maddu.
Ms. Nyarwa appreciated the Award offered by Hon. Member of Parliament Sylvia Nayebare and thanked the women for effectively utilizing the grant investment from Global Fund for Women (GFW)
She gave highlights of NVIWODA’s history and said “what you see is what is in it”. She emphasized that her life focus is centered on results. “I sacrifice my time and life to ensure impact is created on women.” Cissy said that she has the drive to see results from her passion irrespective of whether there is funding or not.
NVIWODA is a model for developing the grassroots where many women who have passed through NVIWODA team are unique in development work. “We live as a family and we are proud of our organization which we value handsomely.” Cissy told the guests.
The one-day celebration on the theme “Me to You” ended at 5.00p.m
Read MoreTo Access safe, nutritious and sufficient food for a family is a basic need and is treated as a human right, with a priority given to most vulnerable women who put a meal on table daily. Food security project initiative implemented in Kabulasoke -Gomba, by Ntulume Village Women Development Association (NVIWODA), is linked to economic stability, a long-term health issue of families and women empowerment.
In addition to women groups from Mpigi, ninety (90) women from Kabulasoke Gomba District benefited from the Food Security initiative that has been supported by Global Fund for Women and at the start of the project United Methodist Women funded the project both of U.S.A. NVIWODA programs depend on the availability of funds. The women are drawn from Twenty-four (24) Community-Based Women Groups (CBOS).
NVIWODA on many occasions invited local authorities at the Gombolola, Community Development Officer – Kabulasoke and some of the Local Councils of the areas and husbands where beneficiaries reside, to participate and witness the activities carried out.
Women underwent classroom theoretical and hands on skills training. Close and regular monitoring of individual households is conducted to ensure value for the resources invested in the women.
Read MoreNVIWODA with the long-time support from Global Fund for Women is investing in women’s economic empowerment, setting a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women make enormous contributions on farms besides providing food for families they are also entrepreneurs.
NVIWODA delivers unique strategies in empowering rural women to move away from ignorance, and out of poverty. Through training programs women become confident they are role models and leaders in their communities.
Women’s economic empowerment is a powerful lever for change and can drive gender equality.
Josephine uncovers the potential of tomatoes to improve her livelihood.
Developing leadership skills for rural women CBO’S leaders and young girls of Gomba district was held at NVIWODA headquarters on the 29th of June ,knowledge and understanding of leadership is and responsibilities was gained .Among the participants were young and school dropouts who were affected by Covid 19 Pandemic lock down .Mary{name with held} was raped and impregnated ,the caretakers of Mary didn’t report the incident due to fear of repercussions ,NVIWODA intervened by empowering the leaders and girls in leadership and gender rights .After sharing alot of experience with senior mothers ,Mary received hope for the future .Mary is desirous of going back to school if she finds a sponsor.
Participants received certificates of attendance.
Read More
Gomba District is located in the Central region of Uganda and is 80km from Kampala City the Capital of Uganda. Kabulasoke Sub- County where Ntulume Village Women Development Association (NVIWODA) operates is an area that has struggled with relentless environmental degradation and the most common among them is drought, caused by long dry spells affecting agriculture leading to hunger.
Since 2014, NVIWODA has intervened to find an alternative solution to enable women produce enough food for their families and also sell off the surplus.
Under the Food Security Project, NVIWODA trains women to practice sustainable and integrated agriculture using modern farming techniques and make organic fertilizers and pesticides using locally available materials.
This project aims at providing alternative solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change. Besides the knowledge offered to women farmers they are also provided with farm tools, seeds and are introduced to local technologies like helping families access safe and clean water for home use and irrigation.
With the grant from Global Fund For Women, and in addition to other activities, in 2019 NVIWODA constructed the one tank to taste its capacity and this technology proved to work out well and in addition thirteen (13) Rain Water Harvesting Tanks were constructed in April – May 2022, for thirteen households in twelve (12) villages in Kabulasoke Subcounty
The Tanks will serve the beneficiaries and neighboring communities too. Plaxeda who received the first Tank in 2019, says that the tank ended the long hours she used to spend fetching water. She testifies that the tank now serves eight families in her neighborhood.
The local rain water harvesting tanks will serve direct beneficiaries in the thirteen households together with the neighboring communities. The harvested rain water supports women to practice micro -agriculture, grow vegetables so as to access micronutrients to families throughout the year. This is an improvement in diet and health; save time spent walking long distances searching for water and indirectly address domestic violence.
This local technology of tapping and harvesting rainwater from rooftops provides an alternative source of safe and clean water for the family and the community. The water is protected from contamination from human and animal waste and does not provide for mosquito breeding.
Water is essential for life and the initiative will generally improve women’s livelihood.
The completed rain water harvesting tanks of some beneficiaries are illustrated in the pictorials.
NVIWODA equips its target group of women farmers, members and girls in information and communication technologies to bridge the gap caused by the COVID – 19 Pandemic, the aim of the skilling is to improve the capacities of women/girls to enable them effectively utilize mobile phones, improve communication and their livelihoods .As a result of Women of Uganda Network support to NVIWODA , the organisation continues to empower more women.
In empowering the rural women group networks in digital training enhances communication. NVIWODA reaches out to its beneficiaries in a timely manner and effectively improve communication among the stakeholders. A number of social media tools are introduced to women; however, women adopted most, the use of Whats app.
Women farmers regularly communicate, document their activities and are able to share with others. For example, NVIWODA trained the farmers in mushroom growing, and during implementation they faced the challenge of the seed not germinating and swiftly communicated through the whats app group and sent pictures of the project. Through discussions on the group the problem was easily rectified. Janat testified that she was able to market children’s clothes through the whats business App. Questions from the women regarding the agriculture are easily answered by NVIWODA through the group and success stories shared for others to learn.
Farmers say the group platform is useful to them as it is a source of collectiveness and information access. However, Women say they face challenges in accessing and participation in zoom meetings due to network challenges in rural area and data is expensive.
Read MoreENHANCING WOMEN’S RIGHTS THROUGH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Since 1987, through social and economic development undertakings, Ntulume Village Women Development Association (NVIWODA) has reached over 3,500 women in various districts of Uganda. NVIWODA is a woman non-governmental organization established in 1987, by a group of women who resided in Ntulume Village by then. NVIWODA operates under Permit No. 541 and Certificate of Registration No.5014. NVIWODA’s Vision is to promote family income at the grassroots level through education.
Since NVIWODA’s inception, it has continuously mobilized women belonging to different groups in the country, and to ensure it achieves its vision, it has strengthened and expanded its activities through reaching out to rural women on household basis, touching community-based organizations irrespective of their status and engaging local leaders in its endeavors. With the aim of creating a sustainable drastic change in the social and economic well-being of a woman, the organization devised means of empowering women in various skills. NVIWODA activities include; trainings in entrepreneurship, food security through integrated and sustainable agriculture, providing farm tools and seeds, training women in ICT, bakery, tie and dye, financial literacy and creating awareness on human rights, domestic violence, land rights and health. NVIWODA also goes further to provide women with financial services through NVIWODA Development Enterprise, a collective fund established by women members of the organization. Execution of the above activities has made a significant impact on women’s lives.
The timely gatherings help the women to discuss issues that affect them and their confidence is gradually built as they learn and know their rights and improve standards of living at household level hence community at large. Women have been meeting in Rubaga-Kampala city, the office premises for the organization. Workshops, trainings, exhibitions and competitions tackling various phenomena are organized year in year out. During those sessions, experience, ideas, success stories and challenges are shared among members. It is also a platform for opening up to fellow women and seeking for advice.
Since 2011, the organization has put much emphasis on mobilizing and engaging rural women in its activities. According to the surveys undertaken, these are vulnerable, have no access to information, basic needs and are marginalized in society. Rural women have challenge of being abused because they are ignorant about their rights and are unable to access opportunities of not given platforms to raise their voices. Most organizations focus on well-established groups which are already equipped with knowledge leaving out the rural areas which need the services most. Rural women have a big knowledge gap which NVIWODA seeks to fulfill so that they can cope up with the changing trends in life.
Important to note, majority of rural women are farmers, they make up approximately 75% of the labor force in agricultural productivity. Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy. This implies that women play a significant role in food production for household consumption and sale. However, women practice farming under harsh conditions created by lack of knowledge and violation of their rights. Rural farmers are accustomed to traditional methods of farming which result into very low yields insufficient to sustain a family. Women are denied the right to own land basing on societal unwritten laws, grow food and their spouses sell it without their consent and worst of all women are not paid a single penny for their hard work. Only 16% of women own land according to statistics.
To enable rural farmers, realize their potential, NVIWODA sought grants from United Methodist Women and Global for Women to facilitate its passionate desire to educate rural women. Since 2011, various women groups have been trained in integrated and sustainable agriculture, smart urban farming, entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy, violence in relationship, land rights, food security, among others. This whole empowerment program builds the capacity of women and the course is a combination for adult learning theory and practical skills making women with low education to make improvements in their lives and study farm tour exposes them to real life farming aiming at a long-term advancement of women movement.
Invested resources on food security has significantly helped farmers to provide nutrient food for their families and sale the access for income generation, and women have had the opportunity to participate in other activities in addition to farming. With the knowledge gained from the trainings, farmers are able to grow crops throughout the year, irrespective of the seasons. NVIWODA in this endeavor further supports farmers with relevant farming farm tools introduces new farming techniques and new seed varieties of vegetable. In rural areas, farmers know less about the importance of growing vegetables. For nine years, NVIWODA has tremendously put in efforts to fill that gap. Vegetables are good for our health, sauce that is easy to get and an income generator which grows throughout the year. According to the beneficiary households impact survey, the children’s health and that of households has greatly yielded positive results. Eating vegetables improves food nutrition and boosts the immunity of the bodies, this reduces costs incurred on hospital visits.
Furthermore, the organization tackled measures to address climate challenges in the dry areas of Uganda. Farmers were taught how to grow crops during dry seasons, harvesting water to be used for irrigation and construction of underground tanks. NVIWODA also taught farmers how to rejuvenate dry and unfertile land, farming on rocky land and full utilization of the available small spaces. This increases food production and guarantees food security at household level all year round.
Giving a hand to rural women boosts their confidence and makes them realize their potential and drastically improving their lives, as a result women farmer earns them respect and financial freedom. In doing so, women are able to educate their children, access basic needs of life and also train others to follow suit. Access to information helps farmers to understand their rights, this can help to solve violence in relationship challenges and criminal cases. In addition, farmers are able to cope up with the changing trends and compete favorably on market.
If such projects continue coming up to help individuals at the grass root level, women would become fully empowered and enjoy their rights. Most of the challenge’s women faces in life are due to inaccessibility to information, resources and lack of inclusion.
NVIWODA monitors the resources invested in the project and measures the impact to ensure that knowledge offered to women yields positive results. Through timely follow up and guidance It keeps track of the performance of farmers to realize sustainable positive change in families and communities at large. Through peer to peer learning, it has been remarkably noted that every woman who has participated in NVIWODA programs has not remained the same. The organization created a conducive environment for interaction whereby beneficiaries socialize, visit each other for guidance and share experience, provide support where need be. There has been documentation of success stories to inspire more women to engage in such fruitful activities. In addition to other meetings, it’s an obligation for NVIWODA members to gather at the end of each year to analyze their accomplishments and discuss the way forward.
For more information about our work visit www.nviwoda.org
Addressing COVID -19 pandemic NVIWODA Empowers Twenty-Six (26) rural women farmers in Gomba District with modern agriculture skills in food production
In 2020, with support of Global Fund for Women, NVIWODA continued with the Food Security program by empowering more 26 women farmers in Gomba District, making a Total of 122 women farmers, who are sufficiently knowledgeable in agriculture.
The food security project commenced with an introductory workshop whereby farmer beneficiaries shared experience with the current beneficiaries and videos of success stories were screened. A baseline survey was conducted and 28 women farmers were orally interviewed and observations made in their homesteads. The aim of the survey was to understand the living conditions of the farmer beneficiaries, identify the challenges they face, find out their farming practices and needs necessary for food production. This enables NVIWODA to find possible solutions in addressing real needs women farmers.
The 28 women were drawn from two sub counties, Kabulasoke and Kyegonza. For diversity, these were selected from thirteen villages. The women beneficiaries belong to nineteen (19) Community Based Groups (CBO’S) however, because of gender hindrances, two of the women were unable to attend the food security training.
NVIWODA collaborates with stakeholders endowed with special facilities and skills in agriculture The group of women underwent training at St. Jude Family Projects, a college of agriculture in Masaka District. For five days’ farmers were away from their traditional set up to a modernized setting training in improved, integrated and sustainable organic farming techniques using locally available resources. At the college, women participatory learn and adopt modern farm techniques. Farmers were equipped with theory and hands-on training in various skills which include;
Women farmers were also enlightened about human rights. There was creation of awareness specifically addressing issues that hinder women from advancing and enjoying their social and economic rights. Topics on physical, economic, sexual and emotional violence were exhausted to bring out clarity on what is right and wrong. |In this classroom training setting the Farmers felt free to their experiences and sought for advice. This was an eye opener for women who for the first time had the opportunity to be in a classroom setting to pour their hearts out on issues affecting their lives. At the end of the training women testified that “For a long time, we have been unaware of our rights, we thought it is normal for every woman to face the problems we have in our relationships”
The entire project content covered land rights, land ownership, land challenges, heredity, ownership of natural resources, land acquisition, among others. This helped to solve land challenges faced by the farmers in Kabulasoke and Kyegonza Sub-counties.
Strategies for success of the food security project
Key Outcomes for the project 2019/2020
Success story during monitoring visit.
When the women at the workshop held in March 26th 2020, shared with us their success stories Janat says’ I was challenged and after viewing NVIWODA documented videos of success, soon after the workshop I immediately planted coffee 100 and 200 bananas suckers.
I have 60 Kroiler chicken and indigenous ones, rabbits and piggery, and developed two fish ponds. I have over three thousand fish finger lets. I had acquired a cow so that it gives me cow dung for manure but I realized I was not yet prepared to feed it, when I do not have enough grass, but I have not planted grass and when ready Iwill buy a cow.
His son testified that she started all the projects soon after training, she was able to borrow one million shillings from a microfinance, bought piglets, and chicks.
Janat also began using manures like Bokashi which I while planting vegetables and that’s why “they look very healthy”.
Challenge: Lack of manpower to help her. However children living with her always help her in her work. Coffee plants 300 and planted two hundred bananas.
Janat Nanyanzi, says after training in financial literacy she is able to manage her projects. I record everything at the moment in the cash book but I will organize it better so that I know how much income and expenditures on each project. This will help me monitor the finances of my projects and know how much I spend on each.
During monitoring, NVIWODA project team is happy with the performance of the farmers.
Betty Nasali, feels very nice after training I wanted to implement what I learnt immediately. This project will earn me income, I will also monitor those I have trained to ensure that they also participate.
Betty testified that, by eating vegetables her children who had itchy eyes stopped, and another child who was asthmatic got better after daily feeding on vegetables, “It’s a month now, I no longer frequent the hospital like before”, she concluded.
As you approach Betty’s compound Mandila, Rectangular, Basket vegetable garden full of Kale (Suukuma wiki), cabbage, spinach, onions, peas, welcomes the by passers and visitors, piggery sty project is in the offing. “I plan to fully apply most of the knowledge acquired and fully develop model gardens, then I will train more women in my community,” she concluded.
After training Betty was also able to plant eight Coffee plants and half an acre of bananas. “These are for income generation and will do more other projects” she said. However, Betty is challenged by a lack of a nearby water source, to regularly irrigate the vegetable gardens.
Teddy is happy with the project; she was able to build piggery sty and bought a very good breed of pig lets two female and one male. She developed vegetable gardens and bought a cow, planted 30 coffee plants. At the time of monitoring Teddy had dug 5ft deep pit for rain water harvesting.
Grassroots women position will change for the better therefore the children will gain better status. NVIWODA is passionately working towards holistically emancipating grassroots women who know their rights, able to address gender imbalance, meet their basic needs, overcome poverty, and woman who can participate in the building her community and the Nation.
IMPROVING FOOD AND NUTRITION IN 22 HOUSEHOLDS IN KABULASOKE SUB-COUNTY – GOMBA DISTRICT.
Ntulume Village Women Development Association (NVIWODA, has over thirty years of its existence tirelessly worked towards improving the lives of women in both semi urban and rural areas in various districts of Uganda.
Empowering programmes carried out by the organization range from women entrepreneurship and career development, hands on skills training, empowering women in knowing their human rights, Integrated and sustainable organic agriculture to address issues hunger, malnutrition and food security at household level.
To ensure that women achieve both social, economic, and human rights empowerment, NVIWODA organizes and transfers need based knowledge and trainings that address and improves the life of a woman and later entire family. This is achieved through awareness training, practical, theoretical knowledge and hands on education.
To enable NVIWODA pursue its mission it has networked and collaborates with other organizations i.e. Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) National Association of Women NGO’s of Uganda, (NAWOU), Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Association’s (DENIVA), St. Jude Family Project, Spark Argo-Initiative Ltd, Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA) and others. Many women who have undergone through NVIWODA programmes testify that the knowledge and skills gained have indeed greatly impacted their lives, families and communities
With a grant from Global Fund for Women – U.S.A, members of Nezikokolima Women Group found in Gumbo District, have benefited from ongoing food security project. The project is aimed at improving food security at household level, as well as improving incomes of women later. 22 women farmers are undergoing trainings in sustainable and integrated agriculture, land rights awareness, prevention of domestic violence and business development. NVIWODA’S major focus in the Food Security Project is to ensure that women farmers access to healthy food and improve their health and nutrition.
The farmers are individually reached out at their households to make sure knowledge acquired is efficiently put into real practice at family level. In preparation for the anticipated rainy season farmers have been introduced to new rain water harvesting techniques. Varieties of vegetable seeds i.e. eggplant, tomatoes, Green pepper, Beetroot, onions, Kale, Cabbage, Leek, and carrots have been introduced and distributed. (Women say they had not grown the seed varieties before).
To assess the impact of our trainings, NVIWODA carried out a monitoring visit to the farmer beneficiary households, notwithstanding the dry weather conditions, the women were able to apply the knowledge acquired and waited for the rains to come. Heaps of prepared organic composed manure and Jerry cans full of organic plant tea were in the vicinity.
Regardless of dry hard ground, women were able to at least dig 72 pits ready for planting banana suckers (Matooke). Some of the beneficiary farmers like Nakuya Mary, Plaxeda Namulondo and Terusala Margret have trained and shared knowledge with over 54 women practicing farming in their communities. (The women trained, are not part of the food security Project)
In order to diversify the knowledge and food sauces, the women farmers were introduced to growing Oyster Mushroom and for two consecutive days, the farmers under scotching sun labored, and underwent through practical processes of growing oyster mushroom. This is aimed at improving nutrition and health, access to food sauce, as well as in the future diversifies incomes at household.
With the help of the trainers, the women were involved in the construction of Dark room and Irrigation mushroom house. Credit goes to Nakalembe Pastakazia , who agreed to construct the group Mushroom Project at her home.
The training was participatory as women carried grass, and other materials to put up the Nezikokolima women’s group – Mushroom Project House at Namulaba- Kabulasoke
Despite the changing weather conditions, NVIWODA anticipates the Food Security Project in Kabulasoke – Gomba to progress positively, as women farmers are enthusiastic about the knowledge acquired.
Read MoreTo learn from our work, NVIWODA in sharing experience has hosted a number of fellow women visitors both international and from within Uganda.
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