Empower AIDS Widows - Save a Community

The Rayland Rural Development Organisation (RARUDO) supports the social economic actions of women and their families to change for better future. Women are the agents of their empowerment, to contribute to progress on women’s empowerment. Women’s empowerment has been a feature of Rayland Rural development organisation focusing on development assistance since the year 2000. Given the continued resistance to ‘gender issues’ in some parts of the development community, this alone is an achievement.

This programme of Empower AIDS Widows – Save A Community is part of the Development Progress project, which identifies and address the progress across different dimensions of development, including economic development and increased household income.

We want extend our sincere gratitude to our donors and well-wishers and also to mention a few of some of the remarkable development story from some of the women supported by the River Fund, Global Giving and other well-wishers under RARUDO initiatives.

1. Margaret: A peasant farmer supported with few vegetable seeds that we got from our friends she managed to Integrate pineapple farming where she earn approximately UGX: 1,500,000 a year, maize growing earns her UGX: 500,000 this season. Her poultry raises her some UGX: 750,000 bi-annually. She is expecting to expand the pineapple growing from the current 3,000 suckers to 5,000 in 2 acres of land and this will increase and add value to her house hold income. She is so thank full to RARUDO, The River Fund, Global Giving and well-wishers

2. Christine: A peasant, from the few vegetable seeds and improved maize seeds, she harvested 4000 kg of maize (corn) compared to last year 1500kg which gave her UGX 2,000,000 and UGX 3,000,000 from 2000 kgs of beans. With this income she managed integrate fish farming and piggery of which she stocked 1900 fish lings after 6 months she expect to sell each at minimum of UGX: 5,000 which would be a total of UGX: 9,500,000 and piggery project she started with 11 piglets and after twelve months she expects have 66 mature pigs and propose to sell at least a minimum cost of UGX: 300,000 this would earn her approx. UGX: 19,800,000 at the end of 12 months. Christine has also built biogas systems which uses pig dung and cow dung, it help her for cooking and lighting the house. She is so thank full to RARUDO, The River Fund and Global giving for the support.

3. Nola: A widow grows maize, vegetables, beans, soya beans and cassava. She says these crops earned her UGX. approx.UGX: 2,410,000. She is so grateful for the team spirit of RARUDO, The River Fund and Global Giving
There are several great stories of these women, we are grateful for the support and hope that if we continue this way we believe poverty can ultimately be eradicated.
We are continuing to and train school dropout girls and women in tailoring skills and strengthening the network and participate in the special sustainable skills for women.

The Need

There is need to continue buying and distribute improved vegetable seeds for planting as source in income
Train the women in better methods of farming.
To add more goats for milk to improve nutrition especially among PLWAS (people living with AIDS) and children.
To provide simple shelter for the elderly
Provide special projects for child headed families
There is a need to provide women with garden tools help boost the output.
There is a need to provide nutritional aid and support for the orphans to combat malnutrition

Challenges

Rayland Rural Development Organisation embraced team work across it areas of operations and achieved a number of development despite of late planting due to late rain fall.
As the heavy rain fall began, most crops were washed away by rushing floods. This left some families hunger stricken.
The low prices of crops during the harvesting times and high shooting prices just after a few months may affect many families that were affected by the floods.
Since there was a delay in receiving rain water this caused late planting, contributing to hunger and malnutrition is expected in general and most especially among children.

Conclusion

I give my sincere regards to all our donors at Global Giving, The River Fund, Uganda government , local leaders and all well-wishers for supporting our cause of bringing hope to the vulnerable community we serve most especially the women and young generations.
I remain yours faithfully,
Onyango Joseph
Executive Director
RARUDO