World Vision Uganda has closed its 18-year programme in Aber, Kamdini and Myene sub-counties in Oyam district, citing improvements in child wellbeing, education, household resilience and community services.

The programme reached about 58,000 people in the Aber area, while more than 135,000 people, including about 45,000 sponsored children, benefited from World Vision interventions valued at US$10 million over the 18 years.

Edward Khaukha, Programmes Director at World Vision Uganda, said the organisation started work in the area when communities were recovering from the effects of war.

He said access to clean water has increased from 34 per cent to 98 per cent, while handwashing improved from 30 per cent to 99 per cent.

Khaukha said children’s ability to read and practice numeracy improved from 15 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively, to 73 per cent.

Household food security also increased from 60 per cent to 98 per cent, while the poverty index declined from 75 per cent to 35 per cent and access to income increased from 10 per cent to 65 per cent.

School enrolment reached 98 per cent, with participation at 78 per cent, while the dropout rate declined from 22 per cent to 4 per cent.

World Vision Uganda also supported the construction of 33 classroom blocks in 13 schools and invested in other community projects.

Improved learning at Aber Primary School

Okullu Kenneth Reagan, headteacher of Aber Primary School, which has sections for children with disabilities and other learners, said World Vision Uganda’s intervention has increased enrolment and improved the school’s feeding plan and infrastructure.

He said the grinding machine they donated has supported the school’s feeding programme and contributed to improved academic performance.

Okullu called on parents not to keep children with disabilities at home, urging them to enrol them in school.

Although he acknowledged the positive impact of the intervention, Okullu called for more government support to promote the development and growth of Aber Primary School.

Jimmy Etot, Oyam District Fisheries Officer, who represented the Senior Assistant Secretary of Aber, said the cardinal role of NGOs such as World Vision Uganda is to complement government programmes in service delivery.

Etot said that during its 18 years in Oyam, World Vision Uganda had contributed to improved access to clean water, healthcare services and youth empowerment.

He also called for a sustainability plan to ensure projects implemented by World Vision continue benefiting communities after its exit.

Beneficiaries testify

Jackline Apio said she received life-skills training organised by World Vision in 2023.

After the training, she started keeping 100 one-day-old chicks in a grass-thatched house. She later sold them and ordered another 200 and 300 birds, respectively.

By the end of 2023, Apio said she had accumulated savings worth Shs 4 million.

Haggai Okello, a resident of Okarowok, said he enrolled in a World Vision youth empowerment programme where he chose tailoring.

“I have gained the skills,” Okello said, calling on World Vision to continue extending life-skills training to youths in different communities.

As one of the partners, the Diocese of West Lango also called for the sustainability of projects established by World Vision Uganda.

Reverend Alfred Okello Arum, Archdeacon of Aber Archdeaconry, delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the Most Reverend Bishop Caesar Nina Otim, citing 1 Timothy 6:20. He called for the sustainability of projects including boreholes and classroom blocks.

Commitment to Northern Uganda

Jeremiah Nyagah, National Director of World Vision Uganda, thanked Aber sub-county leaders for supporting the organisation during its 18 years of work.

Nyagah said World Vision Uganda does not simply give money but supports the wellbeing of people in communities, particularly children.

He said the organisation remains committed to supporting communities in Lango, Acholi and other parts of Northern Uganda.

After 18 years, World Vision Uganda says the programme’s closure marks a transition to communities and local leaders sustaining the gains made through the interventions.

Leaders call for sustainability

Patrick Ogwang Obura, Oyam South MP, speaking on behalf of Oyam Woman MP and State Minister for Economic Monitoring, Santa Alum Ogwang, said World Vision Uganda arrived at a critical time to support communities affected by the war.

He said the organisation supported about 45,000 children in Aber, Kamdini and Myene through the construction of 33 classroom blocks and 17 teachers’ staff quarters.

The organisation also drilled 57 boreholes in different communities to improve access to clean water.

Ogwang called on World Vision to continue supporting children and youth in Oyam despite the end of the programme.

He pledged that Oyam leaders would pick up from where World Vision Uganda left off to see more children in school, youth empowered and women elevated.