Women's Income Generating Groups, Uganda

Trauma cannot be treated in isolation from the poverty and deprivation that blights northern Uganda. Women are especially vulnerable for cultural reasons.

In 2008 we began to support two local women’s groups’ income-generating projects. Many of the fifty women involved are widows and have HIV/AIDS.

They are determined to break the cycle of poverty and have formed associations, working together to begin income generating projects. They believe they are more likely to succeed if they support each other, both practically and emotionally.

The Northern Ugandan women’s groups decided to focus their businesses on agriculture. Their plan required a pair of oxen, a plough/plow, a large plot of land and some seeds.

They hoped that if they could work together efficiently they would increase their crop yield, allowing them to feed their families, spend more time with their children and to sell any surplus food at the local market.

The women also planned to hire the oxen out to other local people to generate more money, to be shared equally amongst the group.

Our team has trained each women’s group in basic business skills and bookkeeping. We also purchased 2 oxen and a plough/plow for each group. This has transformed the lives of the women and their families, empowering them to become independent, self-sufficient business women.

The women’s groups are also planning other initiatives, such as bee keeping and goat rearing. We need to raise money to continue to support the women’s fledgling businesses whilst they are still in their infancy.

One member of the Ribbe Aye Teko group, Rose Akello told us: ‘We are so excited to have oxen and ploughs.

The animals will change our lives and have allowed us to hope for and see better things in our futures. We will be able to feed our children and learn more skills in business and agriculture!’