Project Location
Kibira village, Boowa sub county in Luwero District. Luwero District is located in the central part of Uganda boarded by Nakasongola District in the north, Masindi in the northwest, Kampala district in the south, Kayunga district in east and Kiboga district in the west. Boowa Kibira lies 40km on Kampala-Gulu road.
Project Background
Kibira mixed farm was started 2004 with the purpose of generating income but also to demonstrate to the farmers of Kibira village and the environs the better and improved farming practices.
Around 75% of Ugandans live on subsistence farming as the main employment and source of livelihood. The poor farming practices involving poor seed selection, improper spacing and poor storage practices have lead to low production and very little is saved for income.
Kibira demonstration farm is on 5 hectares of land rearing animals and growing different types of crops. We have few both in house chickens and these on free range, goats and cows. On the side of crops we have coffee plants, different types of banana plants, maize crops, different fruit trees, sweet potatoes, cassava, and ground nuts.
The proprietors of the farm have good practical knowledge in both animal and crop management and this has been exhibited by high production returns. Several farmers have visited the farm to witness and learn the good practices we use and several have realized a higher production after putting into these practices.
The project too aims at providing a place where farmers can visit to learn the better and improved farming methods order to increase on the production for a better livelihood.
Project Objectives
- Teach children and teachers new games
- Improve on the sanitation of the village water sources
- To promote the use of small scale vegetable irrigation in the village
- To promote environment conservation through tree planting
Activities
- Carry out sports and games with children and teachers in 2 primary schools in the community.
- Organise classroom discussions with children focusing mainly on Agriculutre. (the children are aged between 10 and 15)
- Pruning of coffee plants, picking coffee beans and roasting coffee beans to make coffee.
- Clean and slash around the two village water sources
- Plant trees around the farm
- Install a simple vegetable irrigation system using bamboo sticks for the farm but also for the community to learn.
- Construct a small chicken house extension
Expected Outcome
It is expected after the work camp:
- 250 children and 10 teachers taught new games
- 200 trees will be planted
- Two village water source cleaned
- Chicken house constructed
Cultural and educational visits
- Do several community walks to watch different tree species, birds, butterflies and monkeys.
There are also possibilities to Visit Boowa tombs and a presentation on the cultural values of Boowa community and Wobulenzi community market(at the cost of the interested volunteers). Note: Cultural Nights will be organised on different days for the different countries represented at the work camp. Please carry along anything that can introduce your culture.
Beneficiaries
- Children and teachers of the two primary schools
- UPA members
- International work camp participants
- Local community
- Local volunteers
Participation
The project expects 25 participants maximum with a composition of people from other regions of Uganda and International volunteers. Participants will work 6 hours daily from Monday to Friday. Weekends are for social interaction and/ or excursions unless if the official camp programme has an activity.
Who qualifies to participate
- Open minded, ready to interact with other people of different cultural background
- Willing to share his/her experiences
- Flexible to live/stay in simple life conditions
- Flexible to the taste of other foods (local)
- Ready to do heavy manual work on the project
- No experience needed
The Host Community
The people found in central Uganda are multi tribal with the majority population being Baganda. And the major language spoken is Luganda with also a big percentage of people speaking English well.
Like most regions in Uganda people in this community always welcome visitors and always interested to talk/work with people from other cultural backgrounds. Volunteers on this project will have the opportunity to interact with mostly UPA members and those from the community.
Accommodation
- Accommodation will be in the facility of the farm.
- Participants will be required to carry own sleeping bags and mats
- The camp site has simple bathrooms with no showers
- The camp sites has latrines not toilets
- And a simple cooking shelter (kitchen)
Meals
- There are several local foods to choose from e.g. matooke, cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkin and also rice, spaghetti, ground nuts, beans, peas and different types green vegetables
- Fruits can also be easily bought from local markets, mangoes, sweet bananas, water melon, pineapples etc
- Participants will chose food to prepare depending on the availability.
- Participants will divide themselves in Groups to prepare own meals using charcoal and firewood.
Health Services
There is a hospital at Bombo 15Km away. Nakaseke main referral hospital is located only 20km on Kampala- Gulu road. In case of serious cases it is 1 ½ hrs drive from Boowa to Kampala for main hospitals.
Water Source
There is a borehole at the centre.
Climate /weather
July is relatively a dry month a few rains but still you are advisable to bring gum boots for easy walking just in case it rains. The temperatures are warm between 25 - 30 degrees centigrade and the evenings a bit cooler.
What to bring
Bringing Sleeping bag, Mat, pillow, Mosquito Net, sun/mosquito creams/replants, working gloves and boots/shoes is advisable. Light working clothes during working hours and warm clothes at night, as it may turn out to be chilly or cold; Musical instrument and games {optional}; Torch or flash light; Water purifiers {optional}; Personal effects {i.e. soap, toothpaste, toiletries}; National flag, common art facts of your country; Meals/local you may wish to prepare to be shared among the participants during the cultural nights from your country and above all A happy and positive attitude.
NB: Very short (Hot pants); skirts and dresses will not be culturally welcome especially for female. Smoking in public is illegal while engagement in drug/harsh carries a life prison sentence.