This blog was written by siblings: Alastair, Michael and Izzie, to share their experiences of a Five Talents Supporter Trip.
Visiting a Group in Karamoja, Uganda.
A month before we set off, we had a call with our group leaders, Kris and May, who invited us to reflect on our expectations for the trip. We discussed our excitement to see the country (it was our first time visiting East Africa) and our interest in learning more about how Five Talents is helping communities in need.
In November 2022, we joined a supporter visit to Karamoja to meet members of the Five Talents partnership programme and see the impact of this work in Uganda’s poorest region. We three travelled out as a family with our Mum (which we soon realised was a hit with the family-orientated members!).
After arriving in Entebbe, we flew into Moroto (the regional capital of Karamoja) on a 12-seater plane with Mission Aviation Fellowship. We took off from Kajjansi (near the country’s capital of Kampala) in the lush southern part of the country and landed among arid plains stretching out to the horizon.
On arrival we were taken to pay our respects to the Bishop who explained some of the successes and unique challenges the programme had experienced in Karamoja. The programme, currently in its 6th year, is now supporting over 50 groups in the region through its indomitable manager, Anne.
Yet there are also significant challenges: armed cattle rustling has created insecurity in certain areas; the literacy rate is estimated at 25% across Karamoja, and at just 4% in the sub-region of Amudat; the rains have recently been unpredictable; markets were closed for a long time during the COVID-19 pandemic; and, as we were soon to discover, poor road infrastructure leads to long and uncomfortable journeys.
Reflections
During our time in Karamoja, we were privileged to hear some of the incredible stories of Savings Group members and how the programme had positively impacted their lives.
In Amudat, a region where gender inequality is particularly noticeable, we heard stories of Savings Groups empowering women by enabling them to set up their own businesses and have greater influence in family and community decisions. Rae, who was a member of the Amudat Group, spoke powerfully about how the programme had given women in the community a voice and that they now felt confident to speak publicly in the presence of men.
A member of the St John’s Literacy and Savings Group, Yonah, spoke of the life changing skills and financial support that the Adult Literacy training and Savings Group had provided for him. He described how he had previously been a cattle raider, but that the Group enabled him to leave that life behind, and he now teaches others literacy skills in his community.
The individuals we met explained how, through the training and savings groups provided by Karamoja Community Development Trust (KCDT) and Five Talents, they have felt greater independence and financial security. The Groups also spoke of the positive impact on their communities and highlighted that the programme had supported greater trust within communities. We were particularly moved by the support and genuine care that was visible within the Groups we met.
Savings Group in Karamoja, Uganda.
As our trip drew to a close, we were left astonished by the kindness and tenacity with which Anne [KCDT Programme Manager] supported the Groups under her care, by the joyous pride the Groups took in their monumental achievements, and by their incredible generosity - we received so many gifts from each Group we visited that we had a real struggle to fit them all into our baggage allowance on the way home!
The Groups’ kindness and openness in welcoming us and their strength when confronted with a multitude of challenges, will stay with us as a longlasting memory of the trip. We were so warmly welcomed, that the Groups even chose to give us Karamojong names:
Alastair was named Lomilo which means winnowing. Michael and Izzie, as twins, were given the same name, as twins in Karamoja are often considered to be one person. We were named Lokiru & Nakiru, respectively, both words mean rain.
All our expectations for the trip were met, but what struck us most was meeting and hearing from the individuals who have benefited from the programme.