TRAINING OF COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITATORS IN THE PFR PROGRAM AND VSLA METHODOLOGY.

 

PFR training discussion group

It was in March 2021 that the community-based facilitators were trained in the Parenting for Respectability program (PFR) program that contains 12-16 sessions designed to help parents acquire skills they need to prevent child abuse and to reduce partner violence. The meeting was attended by 21 people (10 M, 11F) from the selected villages of Kibiito.

“The PFR modules are bonding and attachment, positive discipline, Gender socialization, spousal relationships and father involvement that are taught in sessions where some sessions are taught men and women mixed and others single-sex, “ said the project officer as she was training. Participants shared their experiences in their homes and this helped more in the learning and understanding of the PFR modules. It was after this training that the community-Based facilitators started training the parents in Kasaali A, Kasaali B, Kagoma b, Kagoma C, and Kahogo about parenting for respectability.

After a baseline survey conducted in Kibiito town council, it was found out that the main cause of violence in homes is poverty. RIC-NET introduced the VSLA methodology to fight this poverty through the parents saving and borrowing money to help them to meet the needs of their children thus preventing violence against the children.

Roleplay during the PFR training

The VSLA methodology was introduced to the community-based facilitators to train their group members so that there is saving and lending of money at the lowest rates and so increasing the levels of household income. Different members shared their experiences in the VSLA and other saving groups they are in and this helped other members in learning through examples. It was later advised that the VSLAs in different villages should start after the PFR modules are completed so that they can start saving with a specific aim of providing for their children’s needs.

VSLA training on how to divide a record book

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LOCAL COUNCIL ONE CHAIRPERSONS OF KIBIITO TOWN COUNCIL TRAINED IN VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN /ADOLESCENTS PREVENTION.

 

Local council one leaders are the first contact person in the community and play a big role in case management and prevention of violence against children. However local council leaders seem to have slept on this role, hence need to reawaken them. RIC-NET organized training on the prevention of violence against children and adolescents for the local council one chairpersons that took place at Travellers nest hotel in Kibiito town council on 26^th -27^th /04/2021. The training was attended by 17 (M-14, F-4).

ED RIC-NET explaining different forms of violence

The training was carried out to strengthen the skills of the LCs and mandate on prevention of violence against children. The key areas of the training were identification of hot spots of violence, deliberate promoting of parenting skills and practices as well as proper responding to cases of violence against children. The trained local leaders are to be instrumental in sharing with communities in their respective areas for example during council village meetings and their routine interactions with families.

CDO addressing the Local council one chairpersons

The CDO Kibiito town council encouraged the LC1s to use the opportunity from RIC-NET that has come to create a change and an impact in their villages so that the cases of violence can reduce in Kibiito. The LC1 chairpersons thanked RIC-NET for the training and confessed that they are very many cases of violence in their villages and promised to do their part since they have received the training.

RIC-NET INTRODUCES PVAC/A PROJECT TO THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN BUNYANGABU DISTRICT.

 

         

The key stakeholders after the meeting

District leaders of Bunyangabu and the civil society organizations operating in the district participated in the quarterly multi-sectoral meeting organized by RIC-NET. The meeting was held on the 30^th March 2021 and attended by 13 people 9 male and 3 female participants were DPC, CFPU, DCDO, CDO, CSOs, and media. The agenda of the meeting was on the introduction of the project, creating an information-sharing forum, sharing strategies for the prevention of VAC, and creating referral pathways for working together as stakeholders.

       

  

ED RIC-NET introducing the project

The project was introduced and the outcomes and actions were presented to the participants which were Parents and caregivers’ parenting skills, practices and spousal relationships improved to nurture a safe home environment for children and adolescent’s growth and development, household income for the parents and caregivers increased to minimize violence against children and adolescents that is driven by low household income, A safe school environment that enables children to complete their primary education cycle strengthened, Out of school adolescents are overcoming the negative effects of risk exposure, coping successfully with traumatic experiences, and avoiding the negative trajectories associated with risks and Community structures and systems that provides a safe and enabling environment free from violence for children and adolescents strengthened.

The CSOs invited presented the work they do and linkages were suggested of how they will be working together with RIC-NET to create a safe and nurturing environment for children in Bunyangabu district.

Police sharing their experiences