In Uganda, HIV and AIDS infection rates continue to increase in both rural and urban areas despite aggressive public awareness campaigns by both public and private institutions. This development has had a unique effect on the lives of women. With married women, for instance, the loss of a spouse often leaves them to fend for themselves and their children who are sometimes also infected with the virus. The Community Holistic Development Organization, (CHODO) a local community-based organization that focuses mainly on economic empowerment for women living with HIV and AIDS, has been working to address this issue.
Equipped with a grant from the African Women’s Development Fund, CHODO set out to train 308 selected HIV infected women in the Sironko district of Uganda in vegetable farming. Through vegetable farming the women inherit a sustainable source of income and provide life-long skills that would be useful in other areas of economic activity.
To start with, the women identified pieces of suitable farmland before being trained in fertilizer spraying, seed selection and other farming methods. Soon, cabbage gardens sprung up in various areas of the Sironko district of Uganda.
To create a ‘sustainability’ cycle, the vegetables grown were then sold to generate income that was invested as start up capital for their own businesses. Some of the capital was invested into livestock rearing. The women were given technical assistance and training on how to manage their livestock rearing projects. This gave them a sense of ownership and self-confidence in their abilities and creative capacities.
CHODO has been successful in improving the livelihoods of the women living with HIV, who do not earn an income . In most cases such women experience discrimination and are likely to die faster due to lack of financial support and marginalisation from their communities. Through the project, the women have been able to develop a consistent source of income allowing them to become economically cally independent.
‘As an HIV positive person, I feel proud that I am doing something that will enable me live a better life. ‘Harriet Namono, one of the beneficiaries of the vegetable garden project elatedly reported.
“All I can say is I am very grateful and very happy.” Modesta Nakusi, another beneficiary shared. “Whenever I look at my cabbage, I smile to myself. I have lived with HIV for 15 years but I am still strong. Thank you CHODO for supporting me.’
The success of the project is also challenging the community’s’ negative perceptions about women living with HIV, recognising them as still significant and productive agents in the country’s economic development.
CHODO intends to undertake another project to help the rural women diversify and sustain their household incomes by engaging in both farm activity and off-farm business during different seasons.
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