Feed, Educate, Empower Acholi Women and Girls

RIVER FUND HIV/AIDS FAMILY SUPPORT WOMEN ASSOCIATION.KITGUM

Women and Girls

1)     Introduction

River Fund HIV/AIDS Family Support Women’s Association is an organization working to provide psychosocial and other support and care to women and girls and their families infected and affected by HIVAIDS and other needy people.

The association was established in 2007 by a group of thirty women and is registered as a community based organization (CBO) with Kitgum District Local Government.

 2)     Administration

The Association is administered through an Executive Committee composed of nine (9) members assisted by a Program Coordinator who is a volunteer and member of the Association.

The newly elected committee is composed of;

1. Hellen          Chairperson
2. Hida             Vice Chairperson
3. Maliam         Treasurer
4. Grace           Secretary
5. Clara             Assistant Secretary
6. Karmela        Member
7. Florence               “
8. Florence               “
9. Beatrice                “

 Margaret                 Program Coordinator

A general meeting is held quarterly for all members to update them and plan for new activities. Members also act as volunteers in the implementation of activities since the group at the moment does not have capacity to pay full time staff.

3)     Planned activities for 1^st quarter, January to March 2018

• Identification of new beneficiaries
• Payment of school fees
• Provision of scholastic and sanitary materials
• Supply of food and non-food items
• Capacity building training for mentors
• Life skills training for girls

4)     Activities carried out:

Girls Education

School Visits.

No new beneficiaries have been added pending receipt of additional funding. However, members of the Executive Committee visited the following schools hosting girls under sponsorship

• St. Bakhita Secondary School with 5 girls
• Msgr Vignato Secondary School – 4 girls
• Kitgum Comprehensive College -2 girls

The purpose of these visits were to check that the students had reported back, check their performance for the last term and find out any challenges they may be facing.

Payments of schools fees

Fees were paid for 9 girls (5 at St. Bakhita,. 4 Vignato). Fees for the 2 girls at Kitgum Comprehensive College were settled by the parents.

Distribution of sanitary towels:

Sanitary Pads were distributed to all the 9 girls each receiving 4 packets.  This support is to enable girls keep hygiene and reduced on absences from classes.

Emerging issues:

1)     At Vignato Secondary School the girls reported that they were not attending lessons in Biology, Chemistry and Physics due to absence of those teachers (this was 2 weeks after opening of term)

2)     Unclear terms and conditions for the school based mentors.

Future plans and recommendations

• Termly mentoring to the girls by members of the association.
• Drafting a mentoring guidelines to ensure standards
• Review of criteria for selection of girls to be sponsored.
• Enroll more girls once additional funds are received
• Hold a meeting with parents whose children are studying at Msgr Vignato

Lamola HIV/AIDS Group

Needs assessment.

A field visit was made to this group by a member of the executive to meet and discuss with them their plans for the new planting season and types of seeds and quantities they require.

Challenges faced in the implementation of activities.

1. Delay by the bank to change to the new signatories which also hindered speedy implementation of activities 
2. Delayed hand over to new executive which created an information gap

Conclusion and recommendation.

This has been a learning period for the new office bearers. They have also shown zeal and commitment and should be commended for all the efforts put in to implement activities. To further improve on effectiveness and efficiency it may be necessary to organize capacity building training for the executive as well as other members of the association.

Project Area. 

KITGUM DISTRICT - UGANDA 

Report Period: November 2017 - January 2018 

Background

The River Fund HIV/AIDs Family Support Association is a Community Based Organization (CBO) founded in 2007 by committed and motivated women to contribute towards improving the quality of life of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, through educating and empowering the women and girls on HIV/AIDs Long Term Survival Skills and sponsorship and mentorship of girls in schools, economic empowerment and livelihood food security enhancement for a sustainable development for self-reliance through seeds provision, training in kitchen gardening andsupport to malnourished children through provision of trainings in provision of nutritious meals, and provision of  basic items like soap, sugar, cooking oil, salt.

The organisation envisions a just and caring society where people yearn to help one another and realize that every human being is connected to one another for a change in the world with values such as: sharing, Love, Non-Discrimination, Humility, Peace, Non Violence, Justice, Inclusiveness, Service, Dedication, Honesty, Transparency, and Compassion.

Project. Support to Girl Child Education - GEP

Purpose of the project:

To reduce the drop-out rate and enhance the educational potential of the vulnerable girl child in secondary schools in Northern Uganda through the provision of sponsorship support, guidance and improving the social environment for learning.

Expected outcomes

• At least 80% of targeted vulnerable girls complete secondary education.
• Incidence of pregnancy among targeted vulnerable girls reduced by 90% from current levels. 
• Absenteeism due to girl-child specific factors among the targeted girls reduced by at least 80% from current level.

Outputs

• 30 vulnerable girls sponsored through secondary education in the 3 years of project cycle
• 3 life skills and career guidance training sessions held with targeted girls per term
• 30 menstrual kits provided to targeted girls every school term

Activities conducted.

1.Mentorship.

Mentorship is very important for the improvement in the performance of students at school and understanding the social influences that they experience that may pose challenges to their stay in school. This session provides an avenue for opening up by the students about the challenges they are facing that if not handled may interfere with their studies. During mentorship meetings, the volunteers and the students develop relationships based on mutual as they hold heart to heart discussions with each other and together generate ideas on how to deal with the situations the students are faced with.

The session also provides space for the students to express to the volunteers their week points in their studies which in turn help the volunteers to hold discussions with the teachers concern to enable them provide extra lessons to the students or devise ways of making them understand during class periods.

During the course of the year, students were mentored and guided on different spheres of their personal development. From personal problems challenging them not to perform well in school, to guiding in academic’s spheres.

2. Paying the students’ fees.

The projected provided for a students’ scholarship for the entire year of 2017. A total of 20 students were supported in 8 schools. 3 of the schools are out of the district while the other 5 are within. Of the 20 students supported in 2017, 4 have completed their study course at Kitgum Core PTC, 2 have completed their UACE, one completed UCE while the other 13 have done promotional exams to the next classes.

3.Support with Sanitary towels.

As a way of improving on their hygiene and sanitation, the students were supported with sanitary pads for monthly use.  Each girl was given 3 packets of Sanitary pads while in the month of September, each adolescent girl received 4 packets of the pads.

Successes

1. 20 out of the planned 30 girls to be supported during the project period through their secondary educational level have been supported with fees.
2. 180 pkts of Sanitary pads were given to the girls being supported in the 3 school terms in 2017.
3. 12 sessions of mentorship were conducted with the students.
4. 04 out of 20 students supported have completed their training course in primary teaching and are now ready to get employed.
5. 02 of the students supported have completed UACE and are waiting to join public universities or tertiary institutions.

Conclusions

Close monitoring and follow up at school by project implementers is key in fostering mentorship of the girls

Continuous support for the girls already in the project and enrolment of more girls in the project for support.

We are grateful to the River Fund and GlobalGiving for this support and for making it possible to provide support to the girls in 2017.

Secondary Education Support for Vulnerable Girls

Report compiled by Aloyo Innocent Jessie, Project Leader: River Fund HIV/AIDs Family Support Women Association, Kitgum.

Report Period: AUGUST -  NOVEMBER 2017.

The River Fund HIV/AIDs Family Support Association is a Community Based Organization (CBO) founded in 2007 by committed and motivated women to contribute towards improving the quality of life of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, through educating and empowering the women and girls on HIV/AIDs Long Term Survival Skills and sponsorship and mentorship of girls in schools, economic empowerment and livelihood food security enhancement for a sustainable development for self-reliance through seeds provision, training in kitchen gardening andsupport to malnourished children through provision of trainings in provision of nutritious meals, and provision of  basic items like soap, sugar, cooking oil, salt.

The organisation envisions a just and caring society where people yearn to help one another and realize that every human being is connected to one another for a change in the world with values such as: sharing, Love, Non-Discrimination, Humility, Peace, Non Violence, Justice, Inclusiveness, Service, Dedication, Honesty, Transparency, and Compassion.

Activities carried out this quarter.

Mentorship and meeting with the students

Provision of sanitary towels to the beneficiaries.

1. Mentorship and meeting with students.

Mentorship is very important for the improvement in the performance of students at school and understanding the social influences that they experience that may pose challenges to their stay in school. This session provides an avenue for opening up by the students about the challenges they are facing that if not handled may interfere with their studies. During mentorship meetings, the volunteers and the students develop relationships based on mutual as they hold heart to heart discussions with each other and together generate ideas on how to deal with the situations the students are faced with.

The session also provides space for the students to express to the volunteers their week points in their studies which in turn help the volunteers to hold discussions with the teachers concern to enable them provide extra lessons to the students or devise ways of making them understand during class periods.

2. Distribution of Sanitary pads and Scholastic materials.

During the visit to the students this term III, sanitary pads distribution was carried out with each student receiving 4 packets each. A total of 20 students received 80 packets of pads to support them during their menstrual cycle. The aim of this support is to enhance their personal hygiene and promote their self-confidence and class attendance at the time when they are experiencing menstrual flow.

Support with stationeries for school practice for the students in Primary Teachers college. Four students were supported with stationeries worth 500,000 Uganda shillings to aid in their final school practice. The students are writing their final examination this November 2017 before being passed out as primary school teachers. The students received box files, reams of papers, manila cards, marker pens, box files among other items.

4 out of the 20 students being supported are completing their final year in primary Teachers training this November.

2 out of the 20 students are sitting for their Uganda Advanced certificate of Education this November.

01 of the 20 students is sitting for her Uganda Certificate of Education this November.

13 students are sitting for their promotional exams to the next classes for term III.

School strikes have continued to disrupt students normal classes which affected two of the schools in which the students are being supported.

Way forward.

Continue mentorship and meeting with students to identify gaps in their learning and devise ways of engaging with their teachers.

Continue with the support and where funds allow, increase the number of beneficiaries.

Include other scholastic materials in the support being giving to the students since other parents are not in position to provide for their children. 

We are so thankful to GlobalGiving and the River Fund for this support. We could not have done this without all of your help.

Secondary Education Support for Vulnerable Girls (Funded by GlobalGiving and The River Fund)
www.riverfund.org

Report Period: MAY -J ULY 2017.

Background.

The River Fund HIV/AIDs Family Support Association is a Community Based Organization (CBO) founded in 2007 by committed and motivated women to contribute towards improving the quality of life of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, through educating and empowering the women and girls on HIV/AIDs Long Term Survival Skills and sponsorship and mentorship of girls in schools, economic empowerment and livelihood food security enhancement for a sustainable development for self-reliance through seeds provision, training in kitchen gardening andsupport to malnourished children through provision of trainings in provision of nutritious meals, and provision of basic items like soap, sugar, cooking oil, salt.
The organisation envisions a just and caring society where people yearn to help one another and realize that every human being is connected to one another for a change in the world with values such as: sharing, Love, Non-Discrimination, Humility, Peace, Non Violence, Justice, Inclusiveness, Service, Dedication, Honesty, Transparency, and Compassion.

Activities carried out this quarter.

1. Payment of Fees by the project leader
2. Provision of sanitary towels to the beneficiaries.

1. Payment of fees of the students.
During school term II, fees payment/support for the students was carried out by the Programme Coordinator. 20 students in total are being supported this term II
2. Provision of Sanitary Pads.
As term II begun, the girls were supported with sanitary towels. This is key in promoting their personal hygiene. Each student received 03 packets meant to take them through the term.

Achievements.

• Of the 20 students being supported, 01 is sitting for Uganda certificate of education (UCE) come November, 04 are now in their final year at Primary Teachers’ College and 01 is pursuing a Nursing course at St. Mary’s School of Midwifery, 02 are sitting for UACE come November and 12 are in still in the lower Ordinary level of Secondary education.

• 20 girls supported with Sanitary towels; 3 packets each for term II.

• Fees payment for Term II

Way Forward.

• Continue supporting those already in the program.
• Provide a full package for the girls being supported. This package shall include tuition fees, scholastic materials such as books, and pens in addition to sanitary items.

Testimonies.

I am forever grateful to the River Fund and GlobalGiving Team for their support towards my education.Thankyou so much in changing my life and bringing hope in my life through the financial support in paying my tuition fees for the past 04 years. I am so humbled of your love and support towards my education and many other disadvantaged girls from my region. I am completing next semester and with the enthusiasm, I will become a teacher to many young children. May God continue to bless you

We are so thankful to GlobalGiving and the River Fund for this support. We could not have done this without all of your help!

Secondary Education Support for Vulnerable Girls

Report Period: February – April 2017.

Background.

The River Fund HIV/AIDs Family Support Association is a Community Based Organization (CBO) founded in 2007 by committed and motivated women to contribute towards improving the quality of life of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, through educating and empowering the women and girls on HIV/AIDs Long Term Survival Skills and sponsorship and mentorship of girls in schools, economic empowerment and livelihood food security enhancement for a sustainable development for self-reliance through seeds provision, training in kitchen gardening andsupport to malnourished children through provision of trainings in provision of nutritious meals, and provision of basic items like soap, sugar, cooking oil, salt.

The organisation envisions a just and caring society where people yearn to help one another and realize that every human being is connected to one another for a change in the world with values such as: sharing, Love, Non-Discrimination, Humility, Peace, Non Violence, Justice, Inclusiveness, Service, Dedication, Honesty, Transparency, and Compassion.

Activities carried out this quarter.

1. Fees payment for identified beneficiaries
2. Identification of new beneficiaries
3. Provision of sanitary towels to the beneficiaries.

1. Fees Payment for beneficiaries.
Fees payment made for students being supported by the project. All the 20 students some of whom are in the final year of studies have been supported with tuition for the all academic year 2017.

2. Identification of new students for support.
To ensure that more vulnerable girls are reached and served, the project has identified 10 more students for support. The identified students most of which are students of S.1 are being provided with the same package as those already in the program. The identification was done jointly with the school administration. This is to ensure that, only students who need support and are interested in education are enrolled for support.

3. Provision of Sanitary Pads.
To promote hygiene for the girl child, the project provided the teenage girls with sanitary towels. This is key in promoting their personal hygiene. Each student received 03 packets meant to take them for the whole term.
Achievements.
• Fees payment made for 20 students being supported.
• 10 new students identified for support
• 20 girls supported with Sanitary towels; 3 packets each for term I.

Way Forward.

• Continue supporting those already in the program.
• Continue with the mentorship program to help guide and encourage the girls to stay longer in school and aim for better future.

Conclusion.

We are so thankful to GlobalGiving and the River Fund for this support. We could not have done this without all of your support and big hearts for the suffering in our community!"