Jennifer is a South Sudanese refugee living with six children and her husband in the Bidibidi refugee settlement in Yumbe district. Before AFOD intervention, she described herself as a poor miserable housewife with no plans for self-improvement.
‘’ I didn’t know how to read or write my own name, poverty was smiling at my home, I couldn’t even raise a meal for my children,’’ she says.
Jennifer’s life changed when she joined a Care Group. AFOD Uganda’s Maternal Child Health and Nutrition project in conjunction with Action Against Hunger in the BidiBidi refugee settlement uses a Care group approach to cause behavior change among refugees to improve nutrition and promote healthy behaviors in the community with the aim of reducing malnutrition in children.
Members of the group are trained in backyard gardening to supplement their families’ diets and are encouraged to share their knowledge with others by forming Care groups. Jennifer and her neighbors formed the God with Us care group, they now move together and conduct home visits to share project lessons with others in the community. Jennifer was elected as the care group leader because of her desire to change people’s attitudes and behavior.
“The Village Health Team came to my neighborhood during Covid 19 in 2020 and told us about the MCHN project. They mobilized us in groups to learn about nutrition. This group influenced my life, and I began teaching other mothers about healthy behaviors in their homes.’’
Volunteers in the program are given a transportation reimbursement to help them get around the community. This was a turning point for Jennifer and her family.
“We were given a transport refund of Ugx 10,000 every month during the training, which I saw as an opportunity to start something for myself. I saved the refund for two months and purchased two chickens which hatched in less than six months. When I had 12 chickens, I sold some and bought a goat. I continued to save until I was able to purchase another goat. I currently have 12 goats and 5 chickens in my compound because of the transportation refund and training skills. “Jennifer narrates.
She shared that she has seen many mothers change, they have planted backyard gardens in their homes, having understood the importance of a well-balanced diet.
‘’Our facilitator also taught me how to write my name during the lessons. I am overjoyed and grateful to AFOD because I am now a happy wife who can care for her children and earn her husband’s respect. I, too, am a change agent in my community.’’
She added, ‘’It will be great for our community if all the Care group volunteers put their training to use and continue to teach their neighbors and use the transportation refund for development purposes.’’
Jennifer continues to share her knowledge with her community and make a difference in people’s lives. Her goat rearing business is thriving.
