ABSTRACT
With the increasing effects of HIV/AIDS in the two districts of Kabarole and Bundibugyo; the need to support widows and orphans has become more evident. To promote this support GTZ in collaboration with GDS introduced an NGO office to assist AIDS afflicated households through the women's community based organisations. The NGO/CBO aims at working with women at the grassroot to ensure sustainability of their activities and also to network with other organisations involved in similar activities. The NGO Office uses participatory techniques to monitor and evaluate the groups' income generating activities. The results; to date show that 45 women's groups have submitted requests for financial and technical assistance. 12 groups composed of 134 widows and 170 orphans have received funds for income generating projects. Activities include poultry; agriculture; brick making; zero grazing; purchase and sell of agricultural produce and small scale retail trade. Most of the groups lack the knowledge in financial management. Therefore; they require close supervision which is too expensive given the way they are spread out in the two districts. Secondly; a number of the hard hit areas are not easily accessible. Thirdly; the number of the existing community self help groups may not be satisfied due to limitation of funds. Experience shows that supporting such womens' self help community initiatives seems to be way of alleviating the consequences of HIV/AIDS on communities
ABSTRACT
With the increasing effects of HIV/AIDS in the two districts of Kabarole and Bundibugyo; the need to support widows and orphans has become more evident. To promote this support GTZ in collaboration with GDS introduced an NGO office to assist AIDS afflicated households through the women's community based organisations. The NGO/CBO aims at working with women at the grassroot to ensure sustainability of their activities and also to network with other organisations involved in similar activities. The NGO Office uses participatory techniques to monitor and evaluate the groups' income generating activities. The results; to date show that 45 women's groups have submitted requests for financial and technical assistance. 12 groups composed of 134 widows and 170 orphans have received funds for income generating projects. Activities include poultry; agriculture; brick making; zero grazing; purchase and sell of agricultural produce and small scale retail trade. Most of the groups lack the knowledge in financial management. Therefore; they require close supervision which is too expensive given the way they are spread out in the two districts. Secondly; a number of the hard hit areas are not easily accessible. Thirdly; the number of the existing community self help groups may not be satisfied due to limitation of funds. Experience shows that supporting such womens' self help community initiatives seems to be way of alleviating the consequences of HIV/AIDS on communities