“L and E”, STRUCK DOWN BUT NOT DESTROYED

Listening to a community recount its achievements is a pleasant thing to many. On this chilly Thursday morning of 4^th July, Charles Kaliba the RICNET community outreach officer and the Information Volunteer Ahumuza Miriam anxiously hoped into the car with the hope of a delightful day listening to what would be the annual general meeting of a successful NGO “L and E”. L and E (Literacy and Empowerment) is a community based organization that aims at eradicating poverty through increasing literacy and empowering citizens. This is through their Circles and reflection centers spread through the Sub County in the areas of Kikula, Rwenkuba, Kitaka, Karago, Katungulu, Mandaku, Bulila and Nyankaro.

On reaching at L and E, we received a good reception from Fred Baguma the acting Chairperson of the Organization.  L and E despite being in a rural area has lots of capacity like hardworking and qualified staff, equipment-computers, a generator, Television screen and books. Besides this, the extension of electricity to organizations’ premises has made work a lot easier and faster for the L and E.

 Several community members ranging from the elderly, to the youth turned up for the meeting. Approximately eighty (80) people participated in this meeting.

Land E members listening to Fred Baguma, the acting chairperson.

Starting the meeting, the guest of honor Mr. Mwanga Julius, KRC Director, welcomed everyone to the meeting and also guided the meeting through a process of self understanding/assessment. From this session members realized and also acknowledged that they were not ready for the Annual general meeting.  And as thus, suggested 19^th July 2012 as the day for another general meeting when feedback from the selected committees such as constitution review would be sought. It is on the same day that a date for the Annual General meeting discussed. .

Impressive to note is that inspite of the internal challenges that L and E has been facing, it has worked so hard to stop them from escalating to and its centers; simply put, the Centers remained up and running despite the challenges at the Center.

Interestingly the reflection centers and Circles did not only keep in business but they created and or opened up new Centers in other areas with in the region. And on this particular day, all these Centers had assembled to discuss and also agree on a strategy together to rebuild their

Chales Kaliba Ricnet community outreach officer( left),  Mr Mwanga Julius the KRC Director( third left) at the function

founder organization.

RIC-NET, KANCA and KRC were all there to guide them in this process. They helped the members   to resolve the few disagreements and challenges that the Organization was facing. Despite the hard times that the organization has been going through, it was evident that the members still loved, cherished their organization and still wanted to rebuild it and see it vibrant, and strong like before.

I personally found this determination, commitment and love amongst the members tongue tying; first they patiently sat, attentively listened, and actively participated in the session of understanding the nature of their work/organization.  The willingness of the members to set aside their differences to rebuild L and E paved way for successful deliberations and planning for a successful future.  By the end of the day, the members had understood the nature of their organization and appreciated the need for cooperation.

RIC-NET, KRC and KANCA pledged to provide support to the community based Organization and to attend the 19th July meeting and AGM due in August.