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Lokole Parabongo Area Program

Sponsor a child

Program Type

Community Development

Planned Life Cycle

2014 - 2029

Location

Uganda

Areas of Focus

Livelihoods  | Child Protection and Participation

Program Timeline

Status: Active

Progress

5,602people applied sustainable agricultural practices, including farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) approach to restore and improve pasture, forest and agricultural land

Progress

4,268reading materials were provided to schools and communities in support of children's education

Progress

3,787children attended in-school or after-school literacy activities

A white jeep driving through a muddy path, featuring a rainbow and trees in the background.

Program Details

Context

The community of Lokole Parabongo is home to more than 54,000 people"and is quickly growing. This expansion threatens available land, resources, and the environment. Land disputes are common as most families depend on farming crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and beans, as well as raising livestock such as goats, cattle, and pigs. Farmers also struggle to produce enough food because of unpredictable rainfall, outdated farming techniques. and the high cost of quality tools and resources. This results in food shortages and, often, malnourished children.

The prolonged war that took place in northern Uganda against the Lord's Resistance Army has negatively impacted the community and left many children vulnerable. Vulnerable children include those at risk of early marriage or sexual exploitation, those lacking basic rights and necessities, or those orphaned as a result of the HIV-AIDS pandemic. Although women equal more than half of the population, cultural tradition prevents them from owning land or assets and often leaves them overworked, both at home and in the fields.

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Challenges
Education
According to a recent study, about 85% of children in Lokole Parabongo are enrolled in school, but only 36% of boys and 26% of girls actually complete their education. On the whole, children are unmotivated to attend classes. A survey of children in the area revealed that only half were going to class every day.

The causes for this lack of motivation are varied. Student to teacher ratios are very high and classrooms cannot comfortably fit all students. Large class sizes negatively affect children's ability to learn, as there is little room for personal attention and too few textbooks available. Parental involvement is also important but lacking. These challenges result in students performing badly on exams, especially in their primary grades.

Overall, the community struggles to prioritize education, especially when it comes to young girls. Traditional values place a higher priority on boys and men. Since most women cannot own land and must depend on a male family member, girls have an even harder time completing their education successfully.

Food
Food shortages in Lokole Parabongo are common, and negatively impact the health and wellbeing of children. Few households report having more than two meals a day, and those that do often live off of cassava and beans, which alone do not give growing children enough nutrition. In the last several years, there has been an increase in malnutrition in children between the ages of six months and five years old. Generally, these rates are linked to limited access to food, improper feeding practices, and lack of information on good nutrition for children.

Although the land in this area is fertile, the majority of farmers still use outdated farming methods that simply cannot support an increased production of food. Unreliable rainfall makes it hard for farmers to time their harvests and reap the most crops. Local breeds of livestock produce low quantities of milk and meat. Additionally, poverty limits farmers access to funds to help them increase production, use better tools and improve storage facilities.

Child Protection
In Lokole Parabongo, children under 15 years old make up almost half of the total population and are undoubtedly the most vulnerable group in the community. Extreme poverty within families results in the violation of children's basic rights, as they often lack access to medical care, food, clothing, and proper shelter. When combined with a low regard for education, this increases school dropout rates. An overall lack of awareness of child protection and children's rights issues keeps children from achieving a safety and wellbeing.

Girls in the community have increasingly been subject to child marriages in recent years. Orphans, many of whom lost their parents in the war or because of HIV and AIDS, are often overlooked. Children with disabilities are seen as a burden....
Plans
Education
To ensure children can access and benefit from quality education, World Vision will assist the community to:
  • Improve school buildings and learning environments and strengthen school management.
  • Strengthen the capacity of teachers and provide access to quality teaching materials.
  • Enhance community involvement in supporting education as a priority for children.
  • Facilitate strong partnerships and networks to continue improving the quality of education.
  • Increase child participation in school and life skills training.

Food
To ensure parents in Lokole Parabongo can provide for their families, World Vision will partner with the community to:
  • Improve availability of diversified nutritious foods at the household level.
  • Help farmers use modern technologies and techniques to increase production of nutrient-rich crops.
  • Build effective partnerships between farmers and the government to increase food production.
  • Help generate household income among vulnerable households.
  • Create savings and loans groups to prepare for times of food shortage and invest in improving livelihoods.
  • Ensure disaster risk reduction programs exist and can respond to environmental threats to food security.

Child Protection
To ensure children and youth enjoy a safe and protected environment, World Vision will work to:
  • Strengthen awareness, understanding, and prioritization of child wellbeing in the community.
  • Improve children's ability to protect themselves and others.
  • Ensure community response is in place to protect children from abuse.
  • Increase number of staff and partners trained on child protection.
  • Build the capacity of local councils and community groups to advocate on behalf of children.
  • Support children to obtain birth certificates.
  • Promote children's active participation in clubs and community events.
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An image of children sitting on the ground in a classroom, writing in workbooks.

Results

Unless otherwise stated, data presented on this page reflects the most up-to-date results of World Vision Canada programs reported between October 2022 and September 2023, and any previous fiscal years available. Previously reported data may not match the current presentation as we continuously receive and refine data from our programs. If you have any questions, kindly reach out to us.