Covid 19 - Household Food Support Report
Covid 19 Support during June and July 2021
Total number of households: 29
Total number of direct beneficiaries: 144
Report written and compiled by Emmanuel Semuko - Social Worker
Background
The outbreak of Coronavirus around the world and in Uganda specifically, has been described as the “worst” public health crisis in this generation.
People around most communities in Uganda have taken drastic measures following the Presidential directives in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. Measures include; social distancing, hand washing, wearing of facemasks, closing private and public transport, churches and schools. The measures have however affected the lives of many families we support through the resettlement programme and Community Education Support Programme, located in various districts of Uganda.
The entire country is on lockdown and this has greatly affected people’s income-generating activities, daily hobbies and habits. There are minimal movements apart from essential workers, and people have resorted to staying in isolation as one of the preventive measures to the spread of COVID -19.
The increase in death rates and new infections around the country has created a feeling of fear and uncertainty in people’s lives. Most of our supported families and caretakers are challenged with a high rate of poverty and those that are privileged with Income Generating Activities like operating salons, market vending, motorcyclists and restaurant businesses, are not working as it was before. Most families are struggling and burdened to have access to basic needs of nutritious food on a daily basis.
The need to support orphans and vulnerable children’s families is very crucial, especially at such a time when most families find it hard to afford a meal on a daily basis.
Interim Activity Implementation Report
During the implementation of this initiative, 29 caretakers were encouraged to improve on their creativity and saving skills as a means of survival during such untimely and challenging seasons. The families have now embraced the value and importance of stocking food in large quantities to push them for a longer period.
Food support funds were sent on beneficiary phones via the MTN mobile money and Airtel money system.
Caretakers were encouraged to buy nutritious food items and were equipped with knowledge about the importance of feeding on a balanced diet. They bought various foods that have nutrients, which are essential for good health and physical growth.
Each Supported household sent photos of the food items they had bought to us via WhatsApp. Some beneficiaries captured short videos to express their gratitude.
The main lesson learnt from this activity is that; empowering caretakers with skills and knowledge helps them to develop a great sense of responsibility towards taking good care of that which has been entrusted to them. 29 caretakers in 29 households now have the ability to take good care of their children’s basic needs. With this food support, caretakers were able to supplement the food they already had to support their families better during this lockdown.
Having a steady and sufficient supply of nutritious food at a household level is key and essential in their children’s health and growth. Good feeding helps children to meet the age-appropriate motor physical development standards of acceptable weight and height according to their gender. It also helps to curb malnutrition and other illnesses resulting from poor feeding and starvation.
Interim Statement of Programmatic Impact
The food support fund came at the right time when caretakers needed it most. With this fund support, households were able to purchase enough food to take them through a period of 4 weeks during this lockdown.
Nutrition status in 29 households has been improved. 144 people were saved from struggling with daily food and starvation during the lockdown. Family members in 17 resettled families and 12 Community Education Support families can now feed on at least 2 delicious meals per day with a variety of nutritious food types.
Children and caretakers were provided with an opportunity to improve on their diet. They can afford to prepare a meal with a balanced diet and this has saved them from worrying about starvation and failing to get any food to feed their household members.
During the food preparation and cooking session at a household level, several children have acquired more skills in cooking and serving meals. This in turn helps them to develop a sense of responsibility and appreciate the value attached to doing house chores.
Testimonies from Beneficiaries
Nalongo - caretaker to Tabitha - is a fish vendor and runs her business from a market in Wakiso District. She has a big family she looks after. Her business was not doing well since most people opted to buy food items of cereals and grains that could last for a longer period compared to fish. She was making losses yet her family greatly survives on her fish vending business. She was worried about how she would manage to take care of her family in such a hard season. Nandyose is grateful to God that she received food support funds from Ty Cariad Africa at such a time when all her hope had gone. With this support, she was able to buy food items of sugar, rice, maize flour, beans and salt. The entire family is happy that they have enough food to enjoy delicious meals on a daily basis.
Gladys – caretaker to Paiton and Sheila - stays in a rental house with her family. She was challenged with paying monthly house rent and providing daily meals to her household members. Her family was on the verge of starvation. Gladys’ greatest worry was how her family was going to survive throughout this lockdown. Receiving food support funds was such a great miracle and a timely answered prayer. They were able to buy food items of maize flour, sugar, matooke, cooking oil, beans and tomatoes. The entire family was happy to receive enough food and to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals during this lockdown season.
Juliana – Daniel’s aunt - is elderly and unemployed. She is the main breadwinner of her family and entirely depends on seasonal harvests and animal rearing to earn a living to meet the family basic needs of food, clothing and medical care. Juliana has a big family of ten members who hardly get enough food. They survive on one meal per day on several occasions. The entire family is so grateful for this food support because it came at a time when the family had almost run out of food for home consumption. The family bought food items of beans, sugar, rice, maize flour, salt and soap.
We are so grateful for all the 29 households that received food support funds during this challenging season. The families are living a happier life and with their hope restored now that they have enough food for home consumption during this lockdown.
We continue to evaluate the situation in Uganda and are ready to further support those in need during this challenging time.