Another rainy season is upon us in Uganda and most of the women CAFWA are working with have started to plant their gardens with cassava, corn, beans, and millet.  Subsistence farming is the main livelihoods activity for the majority of the population in the North where CAFWA operates.

The failure of Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), to sign the peace agreement in April was a major disappointment for all.  It is unclear what will happen now.  Some fear fighting will resume as there have already been reports of new abductions of adults and children by the LRA in the South of Sudan and the Central African Republic.  These developments are further hindering people to leave the camps for internally displaced people (IDPs). 

Despite this setback in the peace process, CAFWA continues and is expanding its involvement with women’s groups in the North of Uganda. 

Grassroots Women’s Association for Development (GWAD)

Our main project with GWAD is a tree plantingproject which is now firmly established.  The ground has been cleared, a fence and gate is in place, and shade areas have been created for the seedlings.  Despite initial problems with germination, the women have a total of 18,000 trees in pots, and another 15,000 waiting to be transplanted.   Instead of relying on bought seeds the women are now collecting their own and have expanded the list of species to include for example shea nut, papaya, avocado and jackfruit.  We are looking for funding to build a pit latrine and a classroom for trainings.

Women’s groups in Awer IDP camp

Our latest training with the 6 groups of women from Awer IDP camp in Amuru District
was a 2-day training session in goat rearing.  100 women were each given a goat
with the condition that they will give the first offspring back to CAFWA. 
The women were educated in how to shelter the goats, prevention and control of disease, hoof trimming, de-worming, and breeding.  The responses to previous trainings have been very positive as most of the women are actively using the new techniques and skills they have acquired.

Creso grandmothers

CRESO is a small organization started by 4 community members who realized there was a need to help vulnerable women in their community.  They work with roughly 200 women who are girl mothers, many of whom were raped at a young age, or who have been abandoned by their boyfriends/husbands.Some of the girls resort to sex work or brewing of alcohol to support themselves and their children. 

CRESO also work with mothers who are HIV positive, and with older women who are taking care of their grandchildren as the parents have died.  CRESO is not receiving any outside funding for the work they do but relies on the ability of the 4 founders, all who earn roughly $120/month.    The aim of the organization is to help women become financially stable and provide them with sustainable livelihood options. The group also functions as a source of social support for many of the girls who experience stigmatization and rejection from their families or communities. 

Burnt brick production- an income generating activity

We are profoundly grateful to all our donors for their support of CAFWA.  Their visionary philanthropy has enabled us to help women in one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian contexts.  It is only through the continued support of these generous individuals and foundations that we can continue working with these courageous women.  If you want to help support CAFWA, please go to our website: www.cafwaafrica.org, or send a check to: CAFWA, attn Alexandra Cole, 736 Coyote Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.  CAFWA is a 501 c(3) registered in the State of California.  For more information please contact Linda Cole: Linda@cafwaafrica.org