Prevent starvation among 70 families in Uganda

After roughly 7 months, the intervention conducted in Baitambogwe, Mayuge district among 16 families has yielded results. All the beneficiaries have harvested soya, Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP), maize, and beans. This is gradually reducing food insecurity in these families as explained below;

‘I didn't know that this soya is good, it's of good quality and it's delicious. I'm enjoying eating it and the sweet potatoes. I'll keep some to plant this coming season so that I keep enjoying it. I'm happy because I don't have to sleep hungry, I make source out of the soya and I can also fry it so that we eat it with tea. Thank you Community Concerns Uganda".

Other beneficiaries are using the project to start initiatives to sustain their ability to afford food for themselves and their families. They are starting businesses to improve on their household incomes.

“I got 90Kgs of soya out of the 6kgs that I was given. I sold each Kg at 1,500 and got Shillings 135,000. I have started a small business to improve on my household income. I want to be able to afford buying food for my household in the months to come. But, for now, I am eating the sweet potatoes I get from my garden. I also planted maize on the land that concerns hired for me and I got 5 sacs (approximately 500 Kgs). I have sold some and saved the money in the saving group so that it gains interest. I have saved some seeds to plant next season.”

Although some beneficiaries got challenges during planting soya, they devised means that  provided results;

"The birds disturbed me a lot when i had just planted soya, but, I decided to stay in the garden to chase them away. Now I have harvested so far 60 Kgs and I still have some more in the garden. . I also planted maize and beans on the land that Community Concerns hired for me. My family is feeding on the sweet potatoes I planted and at least for this year my family is assured of food.

The integration of the adult and financial literacy training in the Food Security and Nutrition project has strengthened the project. It has increased access to credit, and encouraged beneficiaries to start businesses as the narrative below

“At least I’ m happy that CCUg brought this project here because I am able to save some money. By the end of the year, I expect to have accumulated enough capital to do a bigger business. I can even borrow sometimes. I have even learnt how to write my name. I used not to know how to write my name, I could ask someone to write for me but thanks be to CCUg I know now how to read and write."

Majority of the beneficiaries have harvested the soya beans, sweet potatoes, maize, beans and other crops that they planted on the land that CCUg hired for them. This has reduced food insecurity and  encouraged capital accumulation, business initiation and strengthening.