KITGUM- Kerk in Actie Program Officers for Africa; Hilda Timmerman and Hette Domburg, are currently in Uganda for a monitoring visit of the Strengthening Community Resilience through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) project, which they fully fund.
Kerk in Actie, Dutch for “Church in Action,” is a Christian Organization established to offer hope to people in the Netherlands and worldwide, helping them to realize their potential.
The project is being implemented in the District of Lamwo in the Diocese of Kitgum, covering two sub-counties: Palabek Ogili and Palabek Nyimur. The project, is its second year of the second cycle of implementation since its inception in October 2018 and is expected to run for a total of 36 months.
Today, the two Program Officers, together with Rev. Andrew Agaba, the Director for Household and Community Transformation; Ms. Josephine Ninsiima, the Program Officer for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation and Mr. James Obalim, the HCT Coordinator for the Diocese of Kitgum, began their three-day monitoring of the project.
Today, they attended the English service at St. Janani Luwum Town Parish and later met beneficiaries, including those from the Village Saving and Loans Associations (VSLA) and individual beneficiaries in Palabek Refugee Settlement in Lamwo District.
Tomorrow, they will meet the Diocese of Kitgum administration and later other project beneficiaries and Lamwo district local leaders.
Testimonies from some beneficiaries interacted with:
Alice Awiny: From small beginnings and hoping for big wins, Alice Awiny’s journey in Palabek Nyimur settlement camp is a testament to resilience and determination. After taking over her mother’s place in the Amaro Rwot VSLA (one of the Project groups), Alice borrowed UGX 150,000 to plant millet. Her harvest yielded three bags of millet, which she sold for UGX 300,000. Using the profits, she expanded her business by borrowing an additional UGX 300,000 from the VSLA to start a salon.
Despite facing health challenges, Alice trained other young women and mothers in hairdressing, ensuring that her salon continued to thrive even in her absence. “My illness was a setback, but the women I trained kept the business running,” Alice shared.
With plans to resume work soon, she is optimistic about expanding her salon and supplying hair products throughout the camp. Her success has enabled her to rebuild her business structure and invest in another commercial property in Jerusalem Market.
Auma Fielder: Auma Fielder, married with nine children, has transformed her life through the support of the Amaro Rwot VSLA. Joining the group in February 2023, she began saving UGX 2,000-5,000 weekly. Auma borrowed UGX 200,000 from the group to purchase a goat and set up a local market stall with the remaining UGX 80,000. Starting with silverfish and cooking oil, she gradually expanded her inventory.
This small business has been a lifeline, allowing her to provide food and clothing for her children and pay their school fees. Auma’s goal is to increase her stock, buy items in bulk, and introduce new products like sugar and soap, aiming to become a supplier within the settlement camp. Her entrepreneurial spirit is driving her towards a sustainable future for her family.
