DLLN hosts the President of Kolschowsky Foundation in an impactful field visit
Developing Lives, livelihood and Nutrition Uganda (DLLN) recently hosted the President of Kolschowsky Foundation in an impactful visit to the skilling centres and livelihood improvement projects in Kasambira, Kagulu, Kitaidhumba and Kidera in Eastern Uganda. The visit was an opportunity for donor to engage directly with beneficiaries and witness the transformative work being implemented on the ground.
The donor met with community members involved in youth skills training programs of Hairdressing , tailoring and Craft artisan at the newly established DLLN Skilling centre at Kasambira Health Centre, the Wash Project at Kagulu health Centre ii and the sustainable agriculture and housing projects for women empowerment in Kidera. Through these initiatives, DLLN is driving positive change in Busoga, addressing local challenges such as food security, economic stability, and social cohesion.
The tour included a visit to the skilling Centre of Kasambira where the beneficiaries were overwhelmed with joy of meeting the long awaited vistor Mr.Tim Kolschowsky.
The delegation was led by the Chief Prince (Isabalangira ) of Bugabula BB chiefdom Prince Woira Henry, Executive director of DLLN and other members of the DLLN administration. and they were welcomed with entertainment in form of creative and local dances.
In his remarks, the mayor of Kasambira Town council, Mupere Salim appreciated DLLN for the tremendous job done in skilling the youth, elderly and women through the skilling programs at the Kasambira skilling Center.
“ I am very grateful for the skills being impacted in our people of Kasambira by DLLN Uganda, especially the women and youth.These skills are going to be used to fight poverty and reduce on domestic burden imposed on men in homes since most of the women around will be able to fend for themselves. ”
The Mayor requested the DLLN to continue implementing the skilling program in Kasambira since there are still more people are eager to join the training “ I request the executive director of DLLN to give us more years in Kasambira to allow other people who have not yet embraced the project to also have a chance to benefit in the nearby future.” Salim Pleaded. He also requested for a funding from Kolschowsky Foundation to extend the out patient Unit of Kasambira Health Centre ii. “ I am appealing to our visitor to give us a hand in construction of our Out patient unit , this facility serves a very large population and we have limited facilities to accommodate them.”
Prince Kitimbo Daniel Joshua, ED - DLLN
The Isabalangira of Bugabula BB Chiefdom, Prince Woira Henry expressed hisconcern for the declining food production in Busoga, a region which was once the food basket of Uganda, due to factors like land degradation and the increasing focus on sugarcane farming, which has greatly displace food crop cultivation. He encouraged the people of kasambira to Utilize the chance of DLLN Sustainable Agriculture trainings which are promoting sustainable faming practices, such as agroecology, organic farming and conservative agriculture which can help improve the land productivity and reduce environmental impact.
Prince Henry also hinted on the increasing challenges of Menestrual hygiene especially in Busoga region. He noted that “ Menstrual health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, yet it remains a significant challenge for many women and girls in Busoga and other parts of Uganda. Limited access to sanitary products, inadequate sanitation facilities, and harmful cultural beliefs and practices contribute to poor menstrual hygiene and negatively impact their health, education, and social lives.” He pleaded for assistance from Kolschowsky Foundation to tackle this challenge.
Isabalangira of Bugabula BB Chiefdom, Prince Woira Henry
Mr. Tim Kolschowsky in his speech , Appreciated DLLN administration and its staff for the wonderful Job done in Busoga. He also appreciated the Busoga kingdom and the people of Kasambira for embracing the DLLN programs because these programs can not exist without the intervation of people on ground. He revealed that Kolschowsky Foundation and Busoga kingdom have just recently renewed a four years grant to improve the livelihoods of people through skilling and agriculture.
Tim further said that there are very many challenges facing the people of Busoga but he cant solve all of them alone.“ one soldier can’t win a battle, one donor can’t fund all your needs… but doesn’t mean I can’t find other donors to help in tackling the challenges. My Job will be finding other donors to do the right thing and can support the work in this kingdom so that the people can benefit as much as possible. I will never say no, I might say I cant, but I will say I cant yet, so I have to do as much as I can as long as I am able” Tim said!
At Kagulu HC iii , a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project was handed over. to the local community. Speaking during the incharge of Kagulu health Center ii, Kyobawaile Lydia, appreciated DLLN’s commitment towards positively impacting the lives of various communities in busoga.
“Access to clean and safe water is a key driver for adequate sanitation and hygiene which not only enhances good health, early childhood development but also impacts learning performance and productivity. This water donated to kagulu has eradicated the water scarcity and burden for the expectant mothers ” said Kyobawaile.
Loy further reminded DLLN of the pledge made in assistance of establishing a maternety ward to serve the eight parishes of Kagulu as they had promised in the past.
Prince Woira expressed confidence in achieving the project’s goals through collaborative efforts with local communities and encourage leaders who ere around to be champions of WASH in all opportunities available by keeping their households and surroundings clean. He further reiterated the WASH project’s commitment in Busoga region by noting that the project aims to reduce waterborne diseases by improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene awareness.
The President of Kolschowsky Foundation thanked DLLN and Busoga Kingdom who introduced him to Kagulu, a place which was in great need and it was obvious when he arrived, he saw a great need of water. He further noted that he is working hand in hand with DLLN and Busoga kingdom to identify the next need and try to solve it. He further said that the challenge of menstrual hygiene is growing in busoga but he is working with other funders to see that it is addressed.
For the case of the maternity ward, Tim said that he might not be able to solve it with immediate effect but he donated a tent to act and serve as a temporary shelter as he finds other donors to assist. He told the people of Kagulu that they have a job of maintaining what has been given to them and his role is to find other donors.
In Kitaidhumba, the delegation visited kitaidhumba primary school, a community based school which has benefited from DLLN through the two six stance state of the art pit latrines which are under construction and tent which acts as a classroom. The School has also established a school garden through the DLLN agriculture innitiative and has also received a borehole which serves the community aswell.
In Kidera, six elderly and widows received houses which were constructed by DLLN with funding from Kolschowsky Foundation. These are two bedroomed houses, with a seating room and a store.
Prince Kitimbo Daniel Joshua, the Executive Director for DLLN, said that the homes given to the elderly are to enable development.“Decent housing is the cornerstone and a foundational key to other human rights such as access to clean and safe water, hygiene and sanitation among others. ” Prince Kitimbo said.He added that they have constructed 6 houses in Kidera to help the widows and elderly who had lost hope of having decent shelters when heavy winds destroyed their homes three years ago.
During the field visits to demonstration gardens, where beneficiaries shared their experiences and the improvements they have seen in crop yields and income stability. Donors were moved by the stories of resilience and the dedication of the community members, particularly women and youth, who have played central roles in advancing these initiatives.