Coming Soon: Karamoja`s Cash for Work Initiative to Transform Lives
In the scorching savannas of Karamoja, a region in northeastern Uganda, the sun rises over a landscape of resilience and struggle. For generations, the people of Karamoja have faced numerous challenges, from droughts and famines to conflicts and displacement. Amidst these hardships, a glimmer of hope emerges.
Meet Maria Sagal, a 35-year-old mother of four from Lomario village, Nakiloro Parish in Greater Rupa Subcounty, Moroto district. She lost her husband in a cattle raid and now struggles to provide for her family. “I have to walk for hours to fetch water and firewood, leaving me with little time for farming or income-generating activities,” she says, her eyes weary from the daily grind.
Sagal’s story is not unique. Thousands of vulnerable households in Karamoja face similar challenges. That’s where the Building Resilience in Conflict affected and Fragile Communities of Karamoja (BRICK) project comes in – a $4 million initiative by KOICA and UNDP with the implementation structure at the national and district levels working with government ministries such as Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Ministry for Karamoja Affairs, Ministry of Local Government and the three district Local governments of Karamoja.
The implementation approach includes strong partnerships with selected NGOs which include Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja, Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO), Grassroot Alliance for Rural Development, Better World and Warrior Squad Foundation.
Under this innovative project, communities are empowered to take ownership of their development. They are asked to select activities that benefit the wider community, such as planting/or regenerating trees, clearing roads, or desilting communal water sources. In exchange, they receive cash payments for their hard work – a concept known as “cash for work.
Participants will receive Ug Shs 10,000(Ten thousand shillings only) or equivalent to US Dollars 2.72 United States Dollar per day for 20 days totaling to Ug Shs 200,000(Two hundred thousand) or equivalent to 54.38 United States Dollar after 20 days.
“This approach is a game-changer because cash for work activities promote livelihoods and restoration of infrastructure, environment and improvement of living environment and conditions. The target for the whole region is 7,500 beneficiaries especially Women, Youths, PWDs, and the Elderly but for Riamiriam, our target is 2,100 beneficiaries from Greater Rupa subcounty whom we have already selected and trained in preparation for cash for work which we are starting soon. Communities should not just be recipients of aid, but active participants in their own development.” ” says Richard Omoding, Executive Director of Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja.
Omoding explained that project aims to enhance socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable households and peaceful co-existence of communities through resilient and gender responsive livelihoods in selected districts of Karamoja sub-region, facilitate increase of incomes for vulnerable households through environmentally friendly livelihoods options and strengthening essential service institutions in seleced districts of Karamoja region and promote peaceful co-existence through functional peace infrastructure and peace dividends for cross border communities in
Karamoja.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Moroto,Kassim Kutosi Nasibu pointed out, “By engaging in cash-for-work activities, community members can earn a steady income while contributing to the betterment of their surroundings.”
For woman leader, Rose Adero, from Moroto District the project represents a chance for women to break free from the shackles of poverty. “We’ll be able to provide for our families and invest in our children’s futures.”
Dorcus Angom, the Program Manager, Riamiriam Civil Society Network-Karamoja explained that skilling sessions in digital Literacy, business skills, life skills, entrepreneurship, environment protection, mindset change, support formation of VSLAs/SMEs will be conducted and market linkages with private sector for relevant target groups will be created.
“In addition, this project shall provide small start-up support using digital platforms for income generating activities and productive equipment for livelihoods to communities, especially Women, Youths, PWDs, and the Elderly,”Angom said.
The Community Development Officer, Moroto Lolem Maggy said amidst the harsh food insecurity and economic situation, women in Karamoja are bearing the brunt of rising prevalence of violence against women and girls, particularly Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). “It’s my hope that this intervention will address the issues of livelihoods and social cohesion for harmony and peaceful coexistence.”
Through the BRICKS project, vulnerable households in Karamoja will receive the support they need to build resilient livelihoods and foster peaceful coexistence. As Sagal looks up at the sky, she smiles, knowing that a brighter future is on the horizon.
