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THE ICOLEW PROGRAM: A STEPPING STONE TO RESILIENT AND ADAPTIVE COMMUNITIES IN UGANDA.

19 octobre 2023
| Teddy Naluwu
| Unbound, Uganda
Community Learning

Uganda

Banana planting pic 2
In December 2020 Unbound Kampala introduced Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) Program in Kyebe Sub County, Kyotera District. Then, Tukole Integrated Community Learning for Wealth (ICOLEW) Community Empowerment Group (CEG) came into existence. Since April 2023, practical application of learners’ knowledge is ongoing. This learners group consists of 32 members is part of this programme which is sponsored by Unbound Kampala. They are located in Buzindwa Village, Kibumba Parish, Kyebe Subcounty, Kyotera district, in Uganda. A steady supply of diversified food varieties to learners’ households throughout the year is a contributing factor to the global agenda 2030 of ending hunger and a catalyst to achieving the other sustainable development goals such as health. The ICOLEW program is a stepping stone to accelerating achievement of desired goals through community participation in identification of common challenges and application of practical solutions to these challenges related to climate adaptation and resilience in an ever-changing environment. During their situation analysis activity, Tukole ICOLEW CEG identified the challenge of insufficient food among several learners’ households (HHs). The HHs practice farming for both food and income generation. Farming practices, however, are labour and capital intensive. The members overcame the challenge by pulling labour, working together, and improving their gardens. They clustered themselves in smaller groups of 8 neighbouring households and cleared their respective gardens: digging holes (3*2ft) for planting banana suckers and heaps for sweet potatoes. Each member would dig 4 holes for banana planting on days after attendance of their classes. They also monitored each other to ensure members’ implementation and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. As a result, by May 2023, each member had a minimum of 15 sweet-potatoes heaps and 32 banana plants. With these crops in place, the learners are assured of year-round access to diversified food varieties. Labour pulling compensated hiring labour and enabled the learners to plant adequate diversified food varieties in a timely manner. The practice remains within Tukole and has been adopted by other ICOLEW CEGs. Members of Tukole ICOLEW CEG attribute their improved way of life to participation into the ICOLEW program which ensures critical analysis of community challenges and practical implementation of identified solutions as was the case in enabling improvement in learners’ food security. The ICOLEW program ensures assessment of learners in practical application and adoption of knowledge acquired. The CEG extends their sincere gratitude to Unbound Kampala for the support offered through ICOLEW program which links them to trainings, inputs, and other support services. These benefits have made it possible for them to improve their way and become responsible citizens. They recommend other groups working together as a way of solving community challenges and ensuring quick realization of results.

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