OUR PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Community development is a holistic approach grounded in principles of empowerment, human rights, inclusion, social justice, self-determination and collective action. The key roles of Foster Friends Uganda (FOSTERS) community development are to resource and empower the community. This is done through a broad range of actions and activities that change depending on the context.
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When an issue or problem is defined by Foster Friends Uganda (FOSTERS), we develop strategies to solve the problem and then involve community members in these strategies. Ongoing responsibility for the program may be handed over to community members and community groups as we further establish more community development programs.
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​The following below are the community development schemes we work on to develop and support our different communities:
EDUCATION
Education is the key towards building a society that can overcome poverty in a sustainable manner. Investing in human capital brings about powerful social change and creates opportunities for children to realize their full potential. Education is recognized as one of the keys to fighting poverty, but despite the awareness of that fact, many families in Uganda are facing poverty, which forces families to put children to work or into other improper life situations at a young age.
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When it comes to rural areas, they have an increasing number of children without parents, low earning parents that cannot afford school as well lack of capable inspirations within their communities that inspire the value of education.
Foster Friends Uganda (FOSTERS) works closely with OVC organizations to support orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) around the country. This is done through granting equal rights opportunities for education to all children, and protecting children’s rights.
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The organization so far works in-hand with 1 community school and also partners with 2 community based schools located in 3 different locations, providing free education to the orphans and vulnerable children. The organization provides orphans and vulnerable children with school fees aid every term, Scholastic materials, school feeding aid and school structure developments.
Still under education, Foster Friends Uganda (FOSTERS) ensures construction of well planned community schools around the country that aid education of OVC’s within their communities.
HUNGER
FOOD WASTE SOLUTIONS
Uganda remains a lower-income country. The people of the country have struggled to combat hunger in Uganda. Because of poverty, Uganda faces widespread of malnutrition, which has led to more than 110,000 deaths of children between 2004 and 2009. Organizations have committed efforts to address the issue of hunger in Uganda including an innovative way to fight hunger developed by the Foster Friends Uganda (FOSTERS)
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Uganda has a fast-growing population due to refugee intake. The refugee population in Uganda has increased from 200,000 in 2012 to more than 1.2 million. As a whole, these refugees are coming from Uganda’s neighbors, South Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and from all over the world. Due to increasing number of refugees in Uganda, more demand is created especially when it comes to food. These refugees settle on lands that might have been used for agriculture and as well consume more of the food than on the country’s GDP.
Dependence on agriculture increases hunger in Uganda. Agriculture makes up 25% of the GDP and it provides the main source of income for all rural households. But, despite this agricultural output, Uganda still suffers from a 30% malnutrition rate. A study conducted in Eastern Uganda finds that some rice cultivators starve as they sell all the food. While the effects vary, agricultural reliance in Uganda has increased supply, but access to food has not necessarily increased. This leads to high levels of food insecurity.
With all the effects and causes of hunger among people here in Uganda, Foster Friends Uganda (FOSTERS) is working closely to address the hunger issue countrywide.
The Organization works with dedicated people that are skilled in planning, formulation and rationing of growth, brain boasting, energy giving, bodybuilding nutrition, and bone/joint support products. These people tackle the hunger and nutrition pandemic by drying and freezing fruits, cereals and vegetables, blends them together, and packages them in powder and liquid forms. These produced and packaged products are served free among different community schools, poor families and thriving communities around Uganda.
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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
A disaster is an occurrence disrupting the normal conditions of existence and causing a level of suffering that exceeds the capacity of adjustment of the people in a community. It is the people who matter most, and without the people we have no disaster.
By understanding the importance of disaster preparedness and response, the organization recognizes the interconnectedness of its priority areas under the disaster preparedness and response. It also challenges governments to consider disaster risk reduction in national development and disaster planning, and highlights the role of communities and other actors in reducing risk.
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Capacity development is a key component of strengthening the disaster response and preparedness. All levels of the preparedness and response system require skilled people in disaster management with a clear understanding of their role within that system.
Uganda continues to face conflict-related and disaster challenges. Uganda faces different disaster especially the eastern and western regions, which are most vulnerable regions to natural disasters hit by the land slides, experience floods during the heavy rainy seasons, droughts, health epidemics, etc.
Many families including women and children are displaced whenever these disasters occur. These families are most of the times are left with nothing in regards to shelter, food, and other kinds of life survival and development relief.
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FOSTER FRIENDS UGANDA DISASTER RESPONSE AND ACTION
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During a disaster, Foster Friends Uganda is often called upon to deal with immediate response and recovery. To be able to respond effectively, we engage experienced leaders, trained personnel, adequate transport and logistic support, appropriate communications, and guidelines for working in emergencies. If the necessary preparations have not been made, the organization will not be able to meet the immediate needs of the people.
So the first step the organization takes is to identify stakeholders and potential partners in the district for a series of Meetings and workshops related to disaster preparedness. In general, the participants are Red Cross District Chapters, UN agencies, Uganda Army, disaster NGO’s, Uganda Police, Civil Societies, Corporate Sectors, representatives of political parties and representatives of disaster affected communities. More importantly, the representatives of different clusters/sectors like Health, Water and Sanitation (WASH), Food, Nutrition, Protection, Shelter, Education, Logistics, etc) must be involved from the beginning of the planning process. These cluster/sector lead members have the key responsibility for preparing the best response in the affected area.
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Response
The aim of emergency response is to provide immediate assistance to maintain life, improve health and support the morale of the affected population. Such assistance range from providing specific but limited aid, such as assisting refugees with transport, temporary shelter, and food, to establishing semi-permanent settlement in camps and other locations. It also involves initial repairs to damaged infrastructure. The focus in the response phase is on meeting the basic needs of the people until more permanent and sustainable solutions can be found. Foster Friends Uganda is often strongly present in this phase of the disaster management cycle.
Recovery
As the emergency is brought under control, the affected population is capable of undertaking a growing number of activities aimed at restoring their lives and the infrastructure that supports them. There is no distinct point at which immediate relief changes into recovery and then into long-term sustainable development. There are many opportunities during the recovery period to enhance prevention and increase preparedness, thus reducing vulnerability. Ideally, there is a smooth transition from recovery to on-going development.
Recovery activities continue until all systems return to normal or better. Recovery measures, both short and long term, include returning vital life-support systems to minimum operating standards; temporary housing; public information; health and safety education; reconstruction; counseling programs; and economic impact studies. Information resources and services include data collection related to rebuilding, and documentation of lessons learned.
CHILDREN RIGHTS PROTECTION
Children’s rights are human rights for children. In 1989 governments across the world promised all children the same rights by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. ‘Rights’ are entitlements every child should have. The Convention says what countries must do so that children grow as healthy as possible, can learn at school, receive protection, have their views listened to, and are treated fairly. All children have the same rights, no matter whom they are or where they come from. All the rights are connected, and all are equally important — they cannot be taken away from children.
Thou that remain a fact, children rights are demoralized everyday in Uganda. This is shown from child trafficking, child abuse, illiteracy among children, children living on streets, sexual abuse, and harmful cultural performances.
Also almost half of all forcibly displaced persons to Uganda are children – over 900,000 girls and boys.
Many refugee children spend their entire childhood in displacement and in refugee camps, uncertain about their future.
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They experience and witness disturbing events or be separated from their family. At the same time, family and other social support networks are weakened and education is disrupted. These experiences have a profound effect on children – from infancy and childhood through to adolescence. During emergencies and in displacement, girls face particular gender-related protection risks.
At FOSTERS, we ensure children’s rights are fully protected through our various children rights protection programs that include free education for OVC’s, child protection and safety, children talent development, enhanced girl education and gender protection, and all equal rights opportunities for children.
Children are highly resilient and find ways to cope and move forward in the face of hardship and suffering. They draw strength from their families and find joy in friendships. By learning in school, playing sports, and having the creative space to explore their talents and use some of their skills, children can be active members of their community. Through the FOSTERS club, we work with children, empower them and advocate for their rights and protection.
At the FOSTERS club, we engage children into different life and mind development activities that enhance their productivity in school and developing them socially and physically.
Among these activities include:
Biking program
Break dancing program
Singing program
All sports programs.
This Protection Framework is an expression of a renewed commitment to the protection of children. FOSTERS commitment to protect children is not only a moral imperative, but also contribute to ensuring a better future for children, their families and communities.
