Back from the bush

Hello all,

I'm back in Kampala again after a week in the northern part of Uganda. It certainly was a tiring week but one that allowed me to see firsthand many of Food for the Hungry's projects in action.

The city of Kitgum, where we were staying is a city that has felt firsthand the terrible effects of this country's long war against rebel forces. Driving outside of town one can still encounter thousands and thousands of people still living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps with little access to quality land, water or schools despite the declared end to the war happening some 2 years ago. FH is one of many many international organizations working in Kitgum and in the north to try and bring life back to these communities that have experienced so much death. (And when I say many, I mean dozens and dozens in a city of only a few thousand. Every truck or SUV you pass on the road has some sticker on the side labeling it for a certain NGO. And here, one can rightly pose the question why so much international money and effort on the ground has made such a relatively small dent in the mass of problems facing this area... I feel this is a question that may be revisted over the next months).

The Monday after we arrived we spent the day in meetings concerning the reopening of FH's New Life Center in Kitgum. The NLC seeks to work with 1200 formerly abducted child mothers (FACMs) and other vulnerable child mothers (OVCMs) ranging in age from 15 to 24 years along with their 4800 children. The center's goal isbasically to transform the lives of these women in three ways. First, through spiritual and emotional healing and resilience building in those mothers suffering from depression (basically all of them to some degree). Second, to empower participants to learn, engage in and be successful in income generating activities (IGA) that provide stable income sources. And finally to improve literacy and numeracy levels in participants which will further contribute to their overall well being. So it is a tall order but one that the staff is passionate about and one that it has succeeded in before.

The rest of the week was spent "touring" the field and visiting different projects in the area. We visited multiple microfinance groups (beneficieries) in Padibe, Palabek Gem, Muchwini and Potika (Sudan border). And finally I spent all day Thursday attending a seed fair in Palabek Ogili which was very interesting to witness. The seed fair had targeted and area that has perenial problems with food production and had established this system by which to benefit farmers and seed sellers. FH helps to mediate a village-wide discussion between seed buyers and sellers to settle on a fair price for each type of seed. Once that is accomplished FH distributes vouchers (this time totaling 21,000 shillings or roughly $10) to the beneficieries who then purchase seed from sellers (which has been approved as good seed by FH) who then turn in the vouchers at a local bank to be paid. The whole idea being that this system is much more beneficial to a struggling community than simply shipping in seed for elsewhere and passing it out. This, in some small way, helps to benefit the whole community. And from there all farmers can do is pray for rain... which it did everyday we were there.

Today I'm once again in the field, this time visiting schools just outside of town that are part of the child development programs (CDP) run by FH.

My hope is that the internet will again be consistent now that I'm back in Kampala and I hope to post more often this week. Thanks for reading and as always thanks for the continued prayers.

Peace,
Matt