- PROJECT TYPE : Health, Economic
- LOCATION: Bukaya, Njeru Municipality
- HOST ORGANIZATION: SustainMe
- DURATION: 8 Weeks
- COST FROM: $700 (weekly)
Description of Partner Organization
The local community organization you will work with is SustainMe. SustainMe is in Nyenga, Buikwe district, Uganda in a rural setting with a staff of five. It is 12.5km away from Jinja town. SustainMe thrives on enabling vulnerable women increase on their household incomes through access to business and entrepreneurial skills. Through women groups of about 10-20, women attend business training and acquire skills on marketing, customer care, business collaboration and business diversification among other topics, facilitated by Business Mentors. Once the women have completed the training, SustainMe enables them to access small startup loans and/or seed grants which they use to startup businesses. In addition, all women groups have a full time access to a Business Mentor who supports them in running businesses with the small loans and seed grants.
Mission
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Vision
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Social Issue
The lack of access to nutritious food is a multifaceted issue that impacts individual health, education, economic productivity, and overall societal well-being. Efforts to address this problem often require a combination of short-term interventions and long-term strategies to create sustainable solutions.
The lack of access to nutritious food is a significant issue with profound implications for individual health, community well-being, and societal development. Several key reasons highlight the gravity of this problem;
- Insufficient access to nutritious food can lead to malnutrition and various health issues. Nutrient deficiencies can impair physical and cognitive development, particularly in children, and contribute to a range of health problems in adults.
- Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and diseases. This not only affects the well-being of individuals but also places an additional burden on healthcare systems.
- Malnourished individuals, particularly children, may face difficulties in concentrating and learning, hindering their educational progress. This perpetuates cycles of poverty as education is a key factor in breaking this cycle
- A malnourished population can result in a less productive workforce, leading to economic setbacks for communities and nations. This can create a cycle of poverty where women struggle to escape due to compromised health and productivity.
- Lack of access to nutritious food often exacerbates existing social inequalities. Vulnerable populations, such as low-income families, may face additional barriers in accessing quality food, contributing to a widening wealth gap.
- The issue of food insecurity is interconnected with broader global challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, and economic instability. Addressing food security requires holistic and sustainable approaches.
Project Description
The effectiveness of the project will depend on careful planning, community engagement, and SustainMe’s ability to adapt to the unique needs of the target population. Here are some key elements that could be part of the project:
- Conduct a thorough assessment of the nutritional needs and food security situation within the target community.
- Identify specific challenges, including the types of food lacking, dietary habits, and existing resources.
- Involve the community in project planning and implementation to ensure that initiatives align with their cultural context and preferences.
- Establish partnerships with local leaders and stakeholders to build trust and gather insights.
- Introduce sustainable agriculture practices, such as sack gardening or community gardens, to enable families to grow their own nutritious food.
- Provide training on organic farming, water conservation, and other relevant practices to enhance agricultural productivity
- Develop educational programs on nutrition, emphasizing the importance of balanced diets and healthy eating habits.
- Conduct training sessions on cooking, meal planning, and food preservation to maximize the impact of the available resources.
- Implement income-generating activities to empower women economically, enabling them to purchase additional nutritious food items.
- Explore microloans or entrepreneurship training to support women in establishing small businesses related to food production or sales.
- Develop a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the project’s impact over time.
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) related to improved nutrition, economic empowerment, and overall well-being of women and families.
The FSD participant can play a vital role in supporting SustainMe’s mission to empower vulnerable women and their families to have access to nutritious food in the following ways;
- Conduct awareness campaigns within the community about the benefits of nutritious food and the project’s objectives.
- Organize training sessions to educate the community members on sustainable farming practices, nutrition and healthy cooking.
- Assist in conducting surveys and interviews to gather data on nutritional needs and food habits of the target community.
- Analyze collected data to identify trends, challenges and opportunities for improvement.
- Manage the Organization’s social media accounts to raise awareness about the project and share success stories.
- Create engaging content, such as blog posts, articles and short videos to highlight the impact of the project on vulnerable women and families.
- Assist n documenting the project’s progress including success stories, challenges faced and lessons learned.
- Compile regular reports for SustainMe and stakeholders showcasing the impact of the project.
- Coordinate logistics, outreach efforts and ensure the successful execution of events.
- Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation process by assisting in the collection of feedback from project participants.
- Help evaluate the effectiveness of different project components and suggest improvements.
- Ensure cultural sensitivity in project materials and communication.
- Develop training materials aimed at building the skills and confidence of vulnerable in areas such entrepreneurship, financial literacy among others.
8 Weeks Program
Below are the Details for your program Fees-
Airport pick up and drop off
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Accomodation:
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Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be provided
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Training: A one week Orientation week
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24/7 incountry support and mentorship
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Your project SeedFund Grant
What is not Included
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Flights Bookings
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Visas
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Personal Incounty Trips / Excursions
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Personal Incountry Tours