160 Acres Planted in Uganda!
In what the British Red Cross is calling “the worst food crisis in 40 years,” some 146 million people across Africa are experiencing extreme hunger. War and conflict, climate shocks, and soaring inflation have conspired to create a perfect storm of hunger in countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan. By uprooting and displacing people from their homes and farmland, these traumatic events end up “disrupting production and productivity, destroying livelihoods and supply chain systems which play an important role in food production and marketing,” explained Joseph Kamara, regional humanitarian and emergency affairs director for World Vision in East Africa, in a recent Christianity Today article.
Historically, food relief has not been ChildVoice’s mission. The COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst that made it necessary for us to shift in that direction as the adolescent refugees we serve began experiencing prolonged, extreme hunger. Many of them reported that they were struggling to provide just one meal a day for their children.
It became clear that we needed to provide emergency relief, but we wanted to do more than that. We devised a hybrid program to provide supplemental food relief, agriculture start-up packages, and agricultural skills training. This fall, while we provided emergency rations as needed, we also purchased seed, fertilizer, and tools that could be distributed to the girls attending our Girl Empowerment Centers in Imvepi Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda. And we planted demonstration plots to provide hands-on training.
The results so far have been better than we could have hoped for. Our students planted over 160 acres crops such as maize and sorghum in minimum one-acre plots, just in time for the rainy season! Not only did the girls learn valuable agricultural skills, but they are excitedly waiting to harvest the crops that will help feed their families for some time to come. Caroline – the young mother we wrote about in our fall appeal this year – is one of those students. Her crops are growing well, her children are fed, and she is incredibly grateful to those who responded to help refugee mothers like herself.
Income Generating Activities in Nigeria
While food insecurity has been less acute in Nigeria than in Uganda, it nevertheless has been an ongoing challenge. Boys in our agriculture program in the Malkohi internally displaced persons camp recently planted an impressive amount of rice, which has been growing well.
Growing food is a critically important skill. But learning how to generate an income, manage money wisely, and develop basic business skills are all vital components of our programming in Malkohi. Recently, our Nigeria team led training sessions in soap making, for example. Students were taught how to make both perfumed soap and medicinal (anti-bacterial) soaps.
Making a marketable product is just one aspect of the program. Now, our students need to learn how to plan their product sales, whether within the camp – where they will earn less but obtain immediate income – or through markets in Yola, where they stand to earn more money but will not always receive immediate return on their product sales.
Got Questions About Travel?
If you’ve thought about joining one of our team trips to experience for yourself the work we are doing in Uganda, you probably have some questions. Here are three of the most common:
What vaccinations will I need? COVID-19 and yellow fever vaccinations are required. You will also need to take an antimalarial preventative. (Confer with your doctor to make the choice that is right for you.) Check the CDC's current recommendations for other vaccinations here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/uganda.htm.
Will I need a travel visa? Yes, but you do not need to get a visa yourself. We will obtain your visa for you prior to your trip and give it to you prior to your departure.
Your passport must be current and must not have an expiration within 6 months of your arrival in Uganda. If you have never had a passport, apply as soon as possible! You can apply online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get4855.html or visit your local post office.
What if I need medical attention? ChildVoice will purchase your insurance for traveling. This is also included in your budget. This special missionary insurance covers medical & hospital needs and if needed, evacuation. Prior to your departure date, you will receive your insurance card that you can carry with you.
Note: We are aware of the current ebola situation developing in Uganda. We are constantly monitoring health and security concerns with regard to travel both to and within Uganda and will adjust or cancel travel arrangements as needed to ensure the ongoing health and safety of staff, volunteers, and team trip members.
For more information about traveling to Uganda with ChildVoice, please email teamandintern@childvoice.org.
To download a PDF version of this update, click here.