RAFO works with rural communities to break economic barriers. We empower rural communities, refugee and internally displaced persons to economically sustain themselves using the community driven model and the “Kuhereka model”. Community driven model allows the communities to decide which economic activity to deal in, then RAFO provides the technical assistance through trainings and provide start-up resources. We have intend to do trainings in modern methods of agriculture including fish farming, bee keeping and agro processing.
Current projects
Kuhereka Project in Kibaale District
The “Kuhereka” project works for animal farming where by one animal is given to a youth. After it gives birth, the young one (female) is given to another person and this cycle continues. After a period of three or two year or on any agreed time, the first animal is rightfully owned by the first person it was given. This model works for domestic animal like goats, cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits and domestic birds like turkeys, ducks, hens etc. This model has seen many rural youth “school drop-out girls” and single mothers earn a living to cater for their children thus eradicating poverty.
The “20,000 Shillings Project” in Kibaale District.
For the last 4 years, RAFO has given Ugandan shillings 20,000 to 15 poor women, orphans and PWDs in Kibaale district in Bwamiramira subcounty per year. We hold initiation meetings with the benefeceries before giving them this money. In these meetings, we discuss the viable and profitable business each can do with the money by getting suggestions from them.
Our team manly those with business skills and economic and village leaders analyse and compare the likely profit and risks associated with each choice and advise the beneficiaries accordingly. We train them in records keeping and documentation to effectively manage their ventures.
Such choice of business include buying seeds, investing in rabbit keeping, poultry, piggery and more. One example where we have registered success is 2014 where the beneficiaries unanimously decided to buy piglets each. RAFO trained them in good Piggery practices, feeding and medication plus records keeping. These pigs each produces between 6 and 10 piglets which are sold 20,000 each every year.
By the end of 2016, each of these households had between 8 and 10 pigs each valued at 150,000 Ugandan shillings. By 2017, some had sold off 5 to 6 and bought motto cycles and joined the boda boda transport business. This something that we are striving to take to another level.