Transforming Lives Through Strengthening Social Protection Systems in West Nile
To address the specific needs of teenage parents, the partnership has rolled out vocational training programs across the three districts
In a remarkable collaboration aimed at addressing vulnerability and poverty, the World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Government of Uganda and other UN Agencies, has achieved significant milestones in strengthening national and sub-national social protection systems across three West Nile districts: Adjumani, Arua, and Koboko. Leveraging innovative interventions, including child-sensitive social protection programs, cash-based transfers, and tailored skill-building initiatives, this collaboration has transformed the lives of countless vulnerable households and individuals.
A key component of this initiative has been the establishment of Care Groups and Household Support Groups, fostering social cohesion and empowering community members. These groups play a crucial role in promoting understanding of social norms and addressing barriers to skills development and income generation.
Faida Gloria, a facilitator for the Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) group under the NutriCash program in Koboko District, emphasizes the positive impact of the program on child nutrition. "We used to witness a lot of under-five malnutrition cases in our community," she explains. "This was due to inadequate feeding. However, since the introduction of backyard gardening, which we promote through the NutriCash program, mothers now have access to fresh, nutritious food at home."
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The program also incorporates cash-based transfers coupled with financial literacy training. Vulnerable households, particularly those headed by women, receive financial assistance while learning essential skills in budgeting, savings, and investment. This approach not only alleviates immediate financial challenges but also builds a foundation for long-term economic stability.
To address the specific needs of teenage parents, the partnership has rolled out vocational training programs across the three districts. Abale Robinson, the Deputy Academic Officer at Koboko Technical Institute, highlights the positive impact of these programs. "By providing young parents with marketable skills in areas such as mechanics, tailoring, carpentry, and agribusiness, we are empowering them to become self-reliant and improve their livelihoods," he says.
The success of this initiative is evident in the stories of its beneficiaries. Sunday Mary, a teenage mother from Mongoyo village, is acquiring valuable tailoring skills at Koboko Technical Institute. "I will use the start-up package they have promised to start a small business and support my family," she says. Similarly, her husband, Rudde Ali, who is undergoing motor repair training, shares, "Before this training, I struggled to provide for my family. Now, I can repair motorcycles, which has significantly improved my income."
Moro Paul, the project coordinator at the district, emphasizes the importance of a holistic and community-centered approach. "By combining financial assistance, education, and skills development, we are demonstrating that sustainable change is possible," he says. "These programs hold the promise of lifting even more vulnerable populations out of poverty, ensuring a brighter future for all."
