|
|
|
|
Caption: Kepa monitoring food quality at the rub hall |
|
Kepa James emerges from the rub hall in Chinyi Food distribution Point in Palorinya Refugee Settlement and heads for the shade to take a small rest after the day’s work as a Food Management Committee member. Kepa a graduate in medical laboratory studies came to Uganda three years ago as a single family member, fleeing conflict in the native Budria in South Sudan. Entering through the boarder point at Afoji, he moved to Palorinya and was enrolled in the General Food Assistance-GFA Programme implemented by AFOD Uganda and funded by WFP.
In 2018, he-along with about 119,000 other refugees residing in the settlement were enrolled into the new food collection system which uses biometric verification to ensure the beneficiaries receive the right entitlement. In an interview with Kepa, he says, “The new food system is better than the old system”, ‘it’s fast and beneficiaries get their rightful entitlements.” I am family size one entitled to; 1.5 Kg of CBS, 0.15kg salt, 12 kg Cereal, 2.4 Kg Pulses and 0.9litres of Vegetable oil. With the new modality l have been able to receive my rightful entitlements. I love the General Food Assistance Programme because it provides me with food and I have been fortunate to be elected as a member of the Food Management Committee in my settlement.
To supplement the food entitlement I receive through the GFA Programme, I have established a small drug shop at the settlement and joined a village saving and Loan Association due to the financial literacy skills passed on by AFOD during preaddress, this has enabled me to borrow some money to support my drug shop. I also do some casual work for the host community to further supplement my earnings for example 1.5meters by 9meters of land earns me 1000shs which is equivalent to 2 cups of cereals.
However, some of the challenges I face are; inadequate health care support and capital for my drug shop but overall, l thank AFOD and WFP for giving me a chance to serve beneficiaries as a member of the food management committee where I have been exposed to many trainings, acquired leadership skills and most of all provided us with food.
