War on Want Northern Ireland — Fighting World PovertyWar on Want NI supports 23 partners in Uganda and a further 71 secondary partners. Here are some examples of the projects supported and the people they benefit.
Orungo Youth Group
The Orungo area of Katakwi in north eastern Uganda was one of the worst affected communities during the Lords Resistance Army attack in June 2003. The attack caused loss of life and forced the remaining population to flee for their lives leaving behind all their possessions and livestock to live in camps.
The Orongo Youth Group was formed in September 2003 to address the devastated communities problems of extreme poverty, poor child nutrition and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in over crowded makeshift camps.
We support the group and its members in their work to reduce poverty levels and support children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The group has grown from strength to strength as have the benefits to the community. The community farming projects have resulted in the creation of an orange grove, and chicken and goat rearing projects. The HIV/AIDS programme has also been successful with a trained team of health workers delivering information to the communities and orphans and vulnerable children supported and cared for.
Akwenyutu PLAs (People Living with AIDS)
With the support of Orungo Youth, the Akwenyutu PLA group came into existence as a result of the local community recognising the need for people living with AIDS, their families, friends and neighbours to work together.
To improve the nutrition of the group members, which is essential to their well being, War on Want NI supported the group to establish goat and chicken rearing projects.
War on Want NI supports the group to provide counselling and information for people living with HIV, and community access to testing and anti retro viral treatment.
One of their campaigning successes is a care in the community initiative that brought medical staff from the clinic to meet the needs of people in their locality.