Northern Uganda was ripped apart by war and the scourge of child soldiers for 25 years, but Rwotobilo village in the heart of the region has recently seen important transformative successes.
As a result of income generating and school support projects by the Grassroots Reconciliation Group, former child soldiers now have newfound hope, have started new small businesses, and are able to send their own children to school.
From this small project, 23 children who were previously unable to attend school are now going to Rwotobilo Primary School. And parents are saving a lot with their new income generating projects.
GRG’s project in Rwotobilo Village is called “Bedo-Agonya,” which means “Live in Freedom” in the local Acholi language.
It is made up of 57 former child soldiers and community members, including 36 women and 21 men, almost all of whom are parents now.
The project has been a compassionate force dedicated to facilitating the reintegration of war victims into the community.
Thanks to Lapo, a 12-year-old boy in the UK who raised funds to support this project, GRG launched a special project in Rwotobilo dedicated to helping the children of former child soldiers and war victims.
It has been aimed at helping the Bedo-Agonya group members to boost their incomes through small businesses and then sending more of their children to school with profits from the entrepreneurial projects.
Step 1: A Gift That Multiplies: Diversifying Livelihoods with GRG’s Goat Initiative
This has been a 3-step project. In Phase 1, GRG provided Bedo-Agonya Group with a unique gift—a gift that has kept on giving. GRG gave 45 goats to the group and training to group members in how to keep the goats healthy and safe and how to help them multiply.
The aim here was to boost incomes among group members, as goats would beat offspring, and members could sell them to the community. Goat rearing is one of the most locally lucrative ways of generating income, provided the goats are well taken care of – thus the training in goat health is key.
This initiative indeed has multiplied livestock – each of the 57 members now has his/her own goat, and many have sold goat offspring already. Importantly, the project has also fostered a sense of shared responsibility and community ownership. The once desolate echoes of war have been replaced by the joyous sounds of a more thriving and interconnected community.
Mary, a beneficiary of the goat initiative, shared, “Receiving a goat wasn’t just about an animal; it was about securing our future. Now, with more goats and sustainable practices, we’re not just relying on one source of income. We’re building a legacy for generations to come.”
Step 2: Sowing Seeds of Prosperity: GRG’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA)
The second part of the project has been a microfinance project to boost the economic heartbeat of the village, the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). In the VSLA project, GRG provided training in how to save as a community and then savings kits to all group members, including cash boxes. This ensures that group members wouldn’t simply spend the money right away, but also save it for future investments.
Simon, the Chairperson of Bedo-Agonya Group, shares, “The VSLA is not just about money; it’s about planting seeds of prosperity. Our collective savings stand at a staggering 20,950,000 Ugandan Shillings (£4,330). This isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to our commitment to self-reliance and community prosperity.”
Through the microfinance VSLA projects, the group members in Rwot Obilo have started several small businesses, witnessing important changes in their household incomes.
Jane, a GRG group member and new owner of a small business in Mon-Roc market, said, “With the loans from the VSLA, I expanded my small goods selling shop. I now have a more diverse range of products, and my income has nearly doubled. The VSLA isn’t just a financial institution; it’s a lifeline for our dreams.”
Step 3: Education Illuminated: GRG’s Lifeline to Rwotobilo Primary School
The third key step in the project was to support the next generation of Rwotobilo, the children of former child soldiers and war survivors. GRG undertook two initiatives here: to support Rwotobilo Primary School with scholastic materials and books, and to help parents send their children to school through Steps 1 and 2 from their newfound income. GRG’s response was not merely a donation; it was a lifeline that redefined possibilities.
Primary school costs parents approximately 200,000 Ugandan shillings (£41) per year, including school uniforms, books, and scholastic materials. While that may sound low to readers in the West, that is a prohibitive cost for many parents in rural northern Uganda.
But this equation changed for several parents after the GRG project. So far, 23 children that were previously unable to attend school are now going to Rwotobilo Primary School.
Sarah, a single mother of four, said, “Supporting my children’s education was an uphill battle. Sometimes, even putting food on the table was a challenge. GRG appeared like guardian angels. My children received full scholastic materials—a beacon of hope for their education.”
The head teacher at Rwotobilo Primary School commended GRG, emphasizing that the reading books provided illuminated the path to a shared educational legacy. The need for additional reading materials unveiled dreams of a brighter academic future.
Grassroots Reconciliation Group 