Developing Resilient Communities

Posted by Monja

At the launch of AFR605 project in Iganga District, OPs and THPs were working in isolation, were uncoordinated while those working in groups were fragmented and disorganized. At project inception URAA in partnership with Namalemba Elders Group (NEG) did an environment scanning and the findings included: group tasks not being completed according to their work plans; ideas were not thoroughly discussed to take forward groups; group members not contributing and were referred to as ‘docile members’; there was ineffective communication between and among group members on the progress of groups work; there existed conflicts between group members over leadership and domineering personalities; and inability to focus on groups tasks.

With AFR605 project, URAA in partnership with NEG, conducted skills development trainings in group formation and management which focused on good governance and accountability, record keeping, evidence based advocacy, resource mobilization, organization systems strengthening, project management and conflict management among others. Succeeding the skills development training indications are that 105 groups of about 30 members each have been formed which adds up to 3,150 members in all the groups. The groups have been registered at both sub-county and district levels. They maintain records, executive committees have been elected and constitutions developed among key indicators of progress.  

It is evident that 10 Savings and Credit Schemes with membership of 300 people have been formed by OPs and THPs while others joining existing ones. These Schemes formalized engagements of people united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Membership is open to people able to use their services and willing to accept the conditions, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Members contribute equitably and democratically control the capital of their schemes. The savings have enabled groups to build an asset base and a capitalization fund: Credit accessed has been used by the members to boost their small scale IGAs, at group level the activities have built cohesion and promoted unity of purpose. This is evidenced by holding regular meetings, group loan approval and have charted out plans for other group activities.

Working in formal groups OPs have demanded for services which resulted into recognition, as 839 OPs (302 males and 537 females) have reported increased access to poverty reduction programmes, specifically 298 OPs have accessed NAADS - a capacity building and advisory service programme which builds the capacity of farmers working in groups to adopt improved agronomic practices through demonstration of the technologies by the community. As a result OPs have received inputs for food security interventions which include planting materials for beans, maize and cassava. Others have received heifers, goats and pigs. Reports on this support indicate a boost in incomes which enabled them to meet basic needs like clothing, medication and increased participation in community activities.

Similarly 541 OPs have benefited from CDD, which financed their community initiatives and has supported them to boast their incomes. This approach has given OPs direct control over planning, decision making and investment resources for local development projects to community groups including OP.  OP reported that social capital created by the CDD approach has enabled them seek for more support and advocate for better services.