Background

The 20 years of conflict in the northern region of Uganda has led to many atrocities and human rights violations, perpetrated by both Government and Rebel soldiers. Among the human right violations carried out by the rebel group, the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), was the abduction of children from their homes. These children were conscripted into the LRA as soldiers, used as porters for transporting equipment and supplies over hundreds of miles or some of the young girls were taken as “wives” by the officers and high-ranking soldiers, and were subjected to sexual abuse and torture.

Many of the young girls taken as “wives” became pregnant while in captivity and returned from the bush with babies of their own. Some returnees were branded as rebels and rejected by their communities. Most of these Child Mothers moved into the slum areas around Gulu town.

Reintegration into society has been very difficult for many Child Mothers. Other community members subject them to negative stigmatization. Some can have psychological problems as they were traumatized by their experiences in captivity. Also adjusting to the harsh economic realities of modern day living can be very difficult. Most Child Mothers never finished school and they have very little opportunity of finding employment due to lack of education and skills and due to stigmatization. With very little income and no financial management skills, Child Mothers are at great risk of poverty.

Project Overview

The project aims to address the economic, social and psychological challenges faced by Child Mothers who have returned from captivity.

Business Development & Business Management Training

Firstly, the Child Mothers are trained on business development and business management to help them to start and grow their own businesses. The training consists of five half-day training sessions that will take place over a period of one week.

Day 1 - Introduction & Sensitisation

Day 2 - Goal Setting & Planning

- Business Plan Writing

Day 3 - Business Management Skills

Day 4 - Budgeting, Cash Management & Saving Skills

Day 5 - Loan Management Training

Loans Program

After the training is complete members prepare a work plan. If the work plan is acceptable the member is given a loan of UGX 50,000, (approx. Eur 16), for investment in stock and working capital of their business. The loan is given for a period of 4 weeks. If the loan is successfully repaid the members can qualify for a loan of UGX 100,000. This loan is given for a period of eight weeks. Half of the loan is due back after four weeks and the balance after eight.

Self Help Group Training

Members are formed into Self Help Groups and trained on saving, budgeting and loan management skills. Group members meet once a week and save money between themselves. The saving cycle lasts for a period of eight to twelve months. After the lending program from Respond ReNU is completed, we encourage that members should be allowed to borrow from the group’s savings, to help them continue growing and developing their businesses’.

The Self Help training will last for five weeks and will consist of four one-hour training sessions.

Week 1: - Distribution of Materials

Book Writing

First Saving

Week 2: - Saving Skills

Objective Setting & Planning

Week 3: - Policy Setting

Constitution Writing

Week 4:

Week 5: - Lending Procedure

- Loan Management Training

Psychosocial Support Program

The Child Mother groups partake in a Psychosocial Support Program provided by our partners War Child Holland. This program consists of eighteen meetings over a period of nine weeks. During these meetings, group activities are arranged to help develop member’s social skills. Also, War Child Holland facilitate peer counselling meetings which allows Child Mothers to discuss their experiences while in captivity and the challenges they face upon return.

Monitoring:

Once a month, Project Manager, Fiona Oroma, visits each member at her place of business. We assess the businesses, give advice on how to improve and develop the business, and we provide additional training on budgeting, cash management or record keeping, where required.

After the first loan has been repaid, members are formed into sub-groups of five members per sub-group. These groups meet twice a month and members discuss different challenges they are facing in their business. Members give each other advice on how they can overcome these challenges and how they can improve their businesses’.

Fiona also attends each Savings and Loans meeting for the first three months to ensure that the correct procedures are being followed and to help resolve any issues.