- Thousands of people in 12 areas (sub counties and divisions) in northern Uganda have been reached with messages of peace and supported in livelihood in: Lamogi, Alero, Anaka, and Kilak in Amuru District; in Awach, Bungatira, Koro, Paicho and Palaro in Gulu District; and in Bardege, Laroo, Layibi, and Pece divisions of Gulu municipality. Structured activities in schools and the community were carried out – livelihood projects with youth groups; peace education through peace clubs of school children; advocacy against stigma, discrimination and child abuse due to HIV and AIDS; educational support to orphans and vulnerable children; and support to vocational training needs of vulnerable youth. Our target groups include women, youth and children.
- Government entered negotiations and talks with the LRA and factored in the voices of the children through efforts and advocacy activities of EPPOVHA. The plight of child mothers and other groups is considered in the Peace Recovery and Development Plan through lobby and advocacy activities of EPPOVHA in partnership with other organizations.
- With funding from Save the Children in Uganda Gulu and World Vision International thousands of women and children (orphans and vulnerable children and those affected by war including child mothers) were supported in community projects. From a budget of 2,000,000 shs in 2000 its annual budget peaked at 174, 000,000 shs with SCiU in 2005 and with World Vision Uganda it ranged from 134,491,936 in 2007 and 128,832,885 shs in 2009.
- Peace clubs to offer students a forum for expression and action in response to the violence surrounding them. Community resilience and psychosocial support to hundreds of individuals and communities affected by conflict was promoted. A culture of peaceful co-existence and adherence to positive cultural values was adopted and rights of children affected by conflict and related emergencies were protected.
- Advocacy work in the Home based care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children and HIV and AIDS prevention empowerment (HOPE) intervention targeting orphans and vulnerable children was carried out. EPPOVHA engaged community leaders in issues of stigmatization, discrimination and child rights and informing people about legislation and laws at the local level. An enabling environment in place to respond to the effects of stigmatization, discrimination and child rights abuses to children’s lives and the community as a whole. The outcome was to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on the community in three sub counties in Gulu that were the corridor of movement of the insurgent Lord Resistance Army and counter-insurgent government troops involved in the conflict in Northern Uganda.
- Capacity of community care coalitions through the HOPE project evolved into the institutionalization of 15 community care coalitions in Gulu and Amuru districts to mobilize resources for care of orphans and vulnerable children.
- Microfinance programmes is being conducted for peri-urban women in Bungatira Sub-county. The programme will soon be expanded to other parishes in Gulu and Amuru.
|
