August 5th
“Slowly by slowly,” the Acholi phrase that I so often murmur now. A far cry from my initial impatience. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still terribly impatient and want to accomplish three times more in half the time, but I’m learning that that’s not possible in the Acholi Quarter.
This trip’s purpose as been to pause and reflect on our programs. To see what’s working and what needs to be changed.
Now, more than 6 months since we built the first balcony garden, the program is really beginning to thrive. The large group of 50+ members who initially wanted gardens has become a core group of 12 women strong. Although the numbers are fewer, these women are dedicated and are working hard to make it successful. Led by Docas, they now have about 20 flourishing gardens, with spinach growing faster than they can eat it. They’ve also planted nursery gardens of onions, carrots and eggplants. Now that they’ve worked through the initial challenges, finding the best vegetables to grow that would not be eaten by worms or insects, finding adequate soil from which to build the gardens, and building a fence to prevent roaming animals from enjoying the fruits of their labor, they are ready to expand. They presented me with their idea that they’d each like to have 3 gardens, 1 from which to feed their families and 2 to use to sell the produce. Buoyed by their enthusiasm and early success, I’m helping them to fund 12 more gardens.
I spent much time this trip talking with women who have received the “high risk jumbo loans” I distributed in January. One woman, Dorine, who wanted to install a water kiosk, is experiencing man problems due to the lack of water that can be pumped that far into the Quarter. But others are doing better. Paska, who also wanted a water kisk, has a thriving business. And two women who started large-scale charcoal businesses are also doing well.
Adibo Christine, one of the hardest working women I’ve ever met, has been facing challenges with her piggery. Some unidentified animal has been stalking the Quarter at night and mauling her piglets. She needs a fence built, but lacked the funds. I bought some additional beads from her, providing her with the money to install the fence. By Saturday, it should be completed. Hopefully, by taking time to work with the women, branstorm about challenges and ceative solutions, we will help them create sustainable enterprises.
And another significant part of this trip, distributing loans to the 8 women who just graduated from the tailoring program. Together we gathered and thought of different ideas for them to create a market and income from their newly acquired skills. Now we will wait and see. Hopefully, come January, several of them will have started to develop a solid business.
Despite this progress, there is still much to do. Many more people have good business ideas and need large loans. I hope by January we can distribute several more of these jumbo loans - loans that certainly carry a large risk and will take 3 or more years to pay off, but loans that will hopefully transform their lives, at least in part, by giving them a viable way to earn money in their own community, without the dependency of foreign aid.
And the adult literacy program continues to be successful. Also in January, I’d like to be able to expand the program, reaching out to more women who would like to futher their education.
But for now these are just items on our perpetual wish list. The women are used to waiting, and I too, am learning to wait, to be patient. We cannot change things overnight. But slowly by slowly, I believe our progress will be lasting and that’s what really matters.
