Tears of Joy

Though not alone, in the refugee camp one is lonely. “Sometimes you feel the world has ended on you, eventually a new ray of hope comes in and life starts afresh”. These were words of uwuzei Naume after finishing a 6 months training in tailoring and receiving her brand new sewing machine.

Naume, lost all her parents and siblings during the conflict in Congo. Alone in Kyangawli refugee camp she struggled with education up to S.4 (Uganda Certificate of Education) but her performance was not good.
 
 "it seemed like the end of life until my step mother in Kasese connected me to RIC-NET"
 
With support from Global fund for children (GFC), RIC-NET facilitated her to train in tailoring and cloths design. As her life started changing during the training, she cohabited with someone to whom she has a child, but still bad luck struck and the would be husband died suddenly. 
This was darkness at noon.

She contacted again RIC-NET who offered her a second chance to completed training and receive the startup kit of sewing machine.

"Now this is going the change my life"  and the life of my child who  requires support. Naume could not hide her smile as she received the machine from RIC-NET  Admin officer Ms. Janet in Kasese.

Karambi Sub County receives more humanitarian support

RIC-NET in partnership with Sister (Sr) Semerita from the holy family Virika visited families that were affected by the storms that hit Karambi Sub County on October 24th 2017.The team  on  19th January met at Karambi sub county headquarters ,Kasese district with the sub county leaders to understand how far families are coping with the situation two months after the storm and also to deliver their support to the families . The LC3 chairperson ,Karambi s/c thanked the partners for the good spirit of helping those in need and  called for more support since the affected families still lack basic house items (utensils , clothes , beddings ) since these items were lost in houses that were completely destroyed .He further said that families continue to face a challenge  of congestion in small rooms which are limiting parents of  privacy and also exposing children to their parents conjugal rights,there is also theft since the houses are temporary structures ,lack of scholastic materials since all these were lost during the storm .The items that were distributed were clothes  to about 50 women and children .  

L-R the district Councillor Karambi , Sr Semerita ,LC3 chairperson and the parish chief of Kisolholho parish  checking out some of the items

Some of the people who received the clothes

Some of the victims of the storms were 3 months old twins who were covered by bricks and sand of their family house as result of the storm .The twins survived with minor injuries that were treated when they were taken to hospital  ,more than two months  since the tragic storm the twins now  live in a small  new mad and wattle  house  which their parents have been able to construct .

The twins being carried by their parents

RIC-NET staff and Sr Semerita distribute the clothes

WE CAN FREELY ENJOY THE SUN.

Biira Masitura 47 years a resident of Bubukwanga central village narrated the how she lived after the post election conflict during the community sensitization meeting held at Bubukwanga village headquarters. “ I am a Mukonzo married to  Mwamba a resident of Bubukwanga central, I did support the current regime at the district, my husband was not involved in politics at all….it all started as a joke when we had that Finally Mutegeki has won the election after the electoral commission had declared another candidate earlier on. Jubilation was all over especially people from Ngamba and Kasitu passing over in villages going to town. It was never easy but thank God we can leave happily again. My house was attacked not once or twice and some people asked why my husband is not taking action against me since I was supporting the candidate who was not the choice of OBB. I thank my husband she stood with me…..I am now living peaceful with my neighbours.” The meeting was attended by 207 citizens excluding children, members from security, OBB representatives, local leader’s citizens.

This story caught up the eyes and ears of everyone including the OBB representative and local leaders at the meeting. This was after our FPA presented the Drama on the Actors in the conflict situation with focus on rights and duties of citizens. During the discussion the members agreed that the community in most cases violated the rights of people because of attachment to certain people.

Responding to the issues raised during the discussion the OC station of Bubukwanga recommends the work of RIC-NET in organizing community meetings. “I attended their meeting in Maponge, Mantoroba, Nyasoro and these meetings have been productive, I think the sun can freely shine on each one of us and that is why this Mama can freely share her story in this meeting”. The criminal records have declined this year apart from cases like theft, and domestic issues which are always referred to the local council leaders for mediation. We should be engaging at village level and handle our matters as Babukwanga.

The LC III Mr. Basime Amos asked the community to learn to respect the rights of the people and ensure that each one exercise his her right freely without infringing on another person’s rights.

He recommended a proper relationship between the police, security and the people to ensure total peace prevail. However the community members realized that the challenge is still at the Top especially leadership at the top who still segregate people based on how they participated in the voting patterns. Thus recommended the NGOs and other peace Actors to conduct a dialogue to ensure peace and harmony is realized.

RIC-NET SUPPORTS PROCAF WITH TAILORING MACHINE

One of the programs that Rwenzori information centres network (RIC-NET) implements is the community empowerment and youth ,a program that aims at empowering ,youth ,young girls and women through skills training and provision of startup kits to enable them start up their own small businesses and be able to earn an income. RIC-NET supported Rwenzori pro-life and child care foundation(PROCAF) an organization that supports skills development for  vulnerable youth in Kabarole with a singer tailoring machine to enable the organization train other  vulnerable young girls who were not able to complete formal education .we believe that such training helps the youth acquire skills that will improve their lives through starting up their own small businesses.

PROCAF board member ,executive director on left receive machine from RIC-NET staff (right) with some of the trainees 

This program aims at achieving sustainable development goal 1 (end poverty in all its forms ) as it empowers youth to work and earn to improve on their incomes and end poverty  .

RIC-NET EXTENDS HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY STORMS IN KARAMBI SUBCOUNTY

Following a storm that hit Karambi sub county in Kasese district  on 7th October 2017 ,houses ,churches ,schools and crops were destroyed .The key affected parishes included :Karambi , Kyasenda ,Kisolholho and Bikunya .People were left homeless ,sleeping on verandahs and others had to seek refugee at the sub county .

some of the houses destroyed by the storm

As a response ,on 22/10/2017 RIC-NET an implementing organization in the sub county provided support to key affected families inform of  items which included food staffs like rice , beans , and other domestic requirements like soap and utensils for the families to use as they recover from the disaster.One of the people who was supported with the items was over heard saying "at least we shall have what to feed the children for some days ".

one of the people leaving with the items supported with

This disaster in a way is affecting children majorly since parents and guardians are now  focusing on reconstruction of the houses there fore neglecting children (in terms of time , attention and provision of basic needs ). 

during distribution of the items

Its our humble appeal  that other stakeholders also come in to support these families to recover from the effects of the disaster .

Community members pledge to end violence agaisnt children in their communities

As one of the activities of the community led mechanisms to prevent violence against children and adolescents in Kasese district  ,community members organized neighborhood assemblies to discuss about issues that concern children in their communities .

The O.C police at the Karambi neighborhood assembly

Two neighborhood assemblies were conducted at Karambi primary school on 16/9/2017 which was attended by 106(m-30,f-76) ) and at Kyabikere primary school on 29/09/2017 which was attended by 119 (m-34,f-85) people  community members, OC police, CDOs ,local leaders and  religious leaders . Community members aired out their views in relation to prevention of violence against children and highlighted alcoholism and poverty as the common causes of VAC in the community. The common cases of VAC that were mentioned include discrimination, child labour and child neglect, failure by parents to provide lunch for their school going children  .St mark women’s group also passed their message of VAC prevention through songs and skits.

Key actions :

Parents resolved to share and involve their children in issues that concern their families.

Community members agreed to do all work for the development of their families according to their gender roles.

Community members agreed to always provide food and other school requirements for their children.

The people also pledged to always report cases of violence against children to the responsible authorities and to  always pack lunch for their school going  children .

St mark women's group presenting at the neighborhood assembly in Karambi

CHILD RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OF KARAMBI AND KITHOLHU SUB COUNTIES TRAINED IN BETTER PARENTING

Two trainings with parasocial workers (child rights activists) were conducted  at the two sub counties of Karambi on 28/09/2017 and were attended by 27 participants (m-16,f-11)  and Kitholhu on 29/09/2017 and was attended by 21(m-20,f-1) . The trainings were facilitated by RIC-NET staff Murugahara John and Mr. Mukokoma Paul the sub county chief for Isango sub county  .The activists were trained in good parenting, the different categories of children’s rights, rules of engagement with children and the various legal instruments concerning child protection.

The participants during the training

Key actions

The activists resolved to continue Community sensitization on VAC prevention and good parenting using every opportunity they get (burials ceremonies, parties and other community events).

The activists to compile a status report of the different VAC cases from the parishes they operate by December 2017.

Participants agreed to have another meeting for compilation of the status report for the whole sub county on VAC in January 2018

RELIGIOUS LEADERS TRAINED IN VAC PREVENTION AND BETTER PARENTING

A training of religious leaders  took place at Karambi sub county headquarters on 25/09/2017 and was facilitated by Mr. Mukokoma Paul. The training was attended by 38 (M-27,F-11) who included pastors ,reverends priests , model couples and leaders of mothers union in the different religious denominations (Muslims , roman Catholics ,SDAs, Pentecostals , and the protestant ). The participants were trained in theory of   prevention of violence against children and practical skills of better parenting  .

Mr Mukokoma making a presentation

Key actions from the training

The religious leaders agreed to mainstream VAC prevention in their counseling sessions.

The religious  leaders resolved  to form a team of regular attendance of the different trainings so that they are equipped with  more knowledge about VAC prevention

They resolved that they will transfer the knowledge acquired to their congregations.

The Muslims , SDAs  and the Pentecostal will select couples from their denominations to trained as model couples