Support food security & Livelihood of 1000 Ugandan

We are so excited to report that a full month of rain recently fell here in Karamoja; the most in over two years!  It was a celebratory time seeing the wild grasses and foliage lush and green.  Although it is once again parched, we are left with the optimistic reminder of how quickly these landscapes can recuperate.  It continues to be the worst drought and food crisis in Karamoja’s recent history.  We at kotido continue planting and caring for drought-resistant food-bearing trees because little by little, tree by tree, we are helping regenerate Earth and establish long term food security in Karamoja, Uganda.

During first weeks of September (local students’ time off between academic levels) three different school groups came to stay at kotido two-week work experience programs.  There were 20 students in each mixed-gender group; two secondary school groups and one of recent high school graduates.  Every student received training in Permaculture and dryland tree-planting techniques.  Subsequently, they put their newly acquired skills into practice on projects at the Kotido Community Agro-Forestry Learning Centre as well as out in the Kabongo community.  These keen young people had a great time while learning, gaining work experience, and participating hands-on in environmental conservation and food security projects.  Hosting such programs nurtures the meaningful relationship between karamoja youth community.  This up-and-coming generation is empowered to move towards their future knowing that they determine the sustainability of their livelihoods.

It brings us great joy to let you know Kidepo National game park karamoja sub region continues to be a haven for animals during the times of drought.  The elephants have stayed close and even welcomed a number of newborns into the world!  Birds, antelopes, a variety of small mammals, and even a leopard have been spotted nearby.  We are honored to have this motley of wildlife grace us with their company.

This crucial work is made possible with the support of volunteers, donors, and GlobalGiving; thank you all!  If you would like to provide feedback, learn more about our projects, or if you are interested in volunteering with us, please email us at pebaclimited@gmail.com.  There is also an opportunity to leave a note at the end of this report.

Thank you very much. Peninah Project Manager!

It has been raining here in Karamoja region and the rest of the other regions in Uganda, we have had the biggest rainfall in two years.  It provided enough water to fill the catchment ponds which hadn’t happened since the beginning of this drought.  Although it’s now been a couple of weeks since the rainfall, all of the surrounding vegetation is still green.  We’re making sure to savour this scenery knowing that that amount of rain will not likely happen again soon; the forecast predicts below average precipitation for the remainder of the year.  Nevertheless, we know that with the help of our maize, sorghum seeds we can keep moving forward with planting food. 

We have long been looking forward to planting maize, sorghum and providing training in more remote communities but the hardships of the recent years made the expansion of our services extremely challenging.  However, we recently scouted locations for future food projects and made encouraging connections with numerous communities as far away as Mountain Moroto in the Far East of Uganda.  Several of these locations have the potential to become highly productive food in that they are unique micro-climates nestled in rainy mountain valleys; like oases surrounded by desert.  Other regions we visited are suffering from debilitating arid conditions where we will focus on designing intense water conservation systems and planting small and productive food for them and their animals because karamoja is a cattle corridor.  We are keen on catering each project to the needs of the people where they live.  Our goal is to begin collaborations before the end of the year.

Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors, and everyone at GlobalGiving!  If you would like to provide feedback, learn more about our projects, or if you are interested in volunteering with us, please email us at pebaclimited@gmail.com. There is also an opportunity to leave a note at the end of this report.

Thank you very much. Peninah Project Manager!