ICOD Action Network Annual Report 2012

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ICOD ACTION NETWORK 2012

ANNUAL REPORT

Country: Uganda

Year: 2nd January To 31st December 2012

Compiled by: ICOD Action Network Strategic PlanningTeam


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ICOD Action Network is Registered as a Non Governmental Organization in [email protected] , www.icodactionnetwork.org Tel: +256 792 165 208 / 701 103 445

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Table of Contents

Map Of Lyantonde District Showing Types of Water Sources ............. 4

Overview................................................................................... 5

Increased awareness on HIV / AIDS to positively change peoplesattitude and behavior.................................................................. 6

Improve capacity of communities and families to care and providesupport for people living with HIV /AIDS........................................ 7

Improve capacity of orphans, youth and other vulnerable children totake informed decisions about their lives and improve their socio-economic status ......................................................................... 8

Advocate for adherence and observance of fundamental human rights9

- Accountability .......................................................................... 9

- Universality ............................................................................. 9

- Equality/ non discrimination....................................................... 9

- Indivisibility / inter-relatedness .................................................. 9

- Participation ............................................................................ 9

Output indicators.......................................................................10

Cross Cutting Issues ..................................................................14

- Rights Based Advocacy.............................................................14

- Gender ..................................................................................14

- Environment...........................................................................15

- Networking with Partners .........................................................15

Lessons Learnt ..........................................................................15

Conclusion................................................................................16


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Acronyms

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

ICT Information and Communications Technology

PLHA People Living with HIV/AIDS

IT Information Technology

VHT Village Health Team

U.S.A United States of America

USD United States of America Dollars

NGO Non Governmental Organization


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1.0 BackgroundICOD Action Networks office is in Lyantonde district that was createdin 2006 out of Rakai district. The district is found in southwesternUganda, boarded by Rakai district in the South, Masaka district in theEast, Kiruhura in the West and Sembabule in the North and

Northseast. The district consists of 5 sub counties (Kinuuka,Kasagama, Lyantonde Rural, Mpumudde, Kaliiro and 1 town council(Lyantonde town council).

The district total population is estimated at 70,000 with an annualpopulation growth rate of 1.9%. The national population and housingcensus which will be carried out next year will give a clear picture onthe districts population. The local economy is primarily agricultural.Subsistence cultivation is the principal means of livelihood for over70% of Lyantondes population, food insecurity and lack of access tosate water are a major periodical threat.

Map of Lyantonde District Showing Types of Water Sources

The district isfrequently hit byprolonged dry spellresulting intofamine. Thecurrent HIVprevalence is

estimated at13.5%.

Poverty is endemicin Lyantondedistrict; over 82%of the householdsestimated tosurvive below the

Ugandassubsistence levelof Ugshs.5000(USD $3.00) perweek. With lack ofadequate income,it is increasinglyharder for

vulnerable households to access descent shelter, safe water, food,medical care and other basic necessities of life.


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Many of the problems associated with poverty, such as food insecurity,ill health and poor nutrition have been exacerbated by the HIV/AIDSepidemic.

Data from Lyantonde District local government indicates that over

85% of orphans and other vulnerable groups lack good shelterbecause of high poverty levels. This challenge is worsened byHIV/AIDS scourge that has led to many orphans and increased in thenumber of Child Headed Households.

2.0 OverviewICOD Action Network has completed a five-year cycle (that began inFebruary 2008) whose goal was to reduce the incidence of HIVtransmission and build communitys capacity to respond to their mostpressing challenges.

Some of the HIV/AIDS stakeholders who attended the 2012 meeting

Projects implemented in 2012 were part of the ICOD Action Networkscommunity development efforts targeting orphans, widows, elderly,child headed households, youth in and out of school, and othervulnerable members of the community.


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In 2012, a number of positive achievements were registered includingconsolidating HIV/AIDS partnerships, training youth in HIV/AIDSprevention, training communities in Information Technology,strengthening HIV/AIDS prevention strategies and food securityprojects.

The organization hosted a number of visitors from local andinternational partners from U.S.A, and also hosted interns from localuniversities.

3.0 Monitoring change in relation to the objectives

In 2012, ICOD Action Network implemented a number of activities thatyielded positive impact on the target beneficiaries. There has beenincreased number of people going for HIV testing and increasednumber of people adapting Information Technology (IT) as a result ofincreased awareness by ICOD Action Network and our partnerLyantonde District People Living with HIV/AIDS Forum

The organizations 2012 projects were based on four objectives;Increase awareness on HIV/AIDS to positively change peoples attitudeand behavior; Improve capacity of communities and families to careand provide support for people living with HIV /AIDS; Improvecapacity of orphans, youth and other vulnerable children to takeinformed decisions about their lives and improve their socio economic status and Advocate for adherence and observance offundamental human rights.

3.1 Increased awareness on HIV / AIDS to positively changepeoples attitude and behaviorICOD Action Network in partnership with Lyantonde District PeopleLiving with HIV/AIDS Forum identified and closely worked with youthsocial groups to enhance awareness on HIV / AIDS in the community.These included peer association leaders, bar attendants, teachers andyouth leaders. ICOD Action Network also carried out sensitizationmeetings to increase awareness on HIV/AIDS. The trained HIV/AIDSeducators were able to reach out to over 1480 people.

Youth leaders sensitized on HIV/AIDS and are now able to influenceyouth to change their behavior. 76% of the youth who took part in ourHIV/AIDS activities had correct information about HIV/AIDS, itstransmission and prevention and the level of misconceptions aboutHIV/AIDS and condom use had reduced.


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3.2 Improve capacity of communities and families to care and

provide support for people living with HIV /AIDS

ICOD Action Networks efforts to strengthen the capacity of localcommunity initiatives to support and care for people living with HIV /were strengthened by our continued partnership and support to

Lyantonde District People Living with HIV/AIDS Forum. Thispartnership was able to offer counseling services to People Living withHIV/AIDS (PLHAs), youth and other HIV/AIDS affected individuals andstrengthened PLHAs networks at Sub Counties.

In December 2012, ICOD Action Network and Lyantonde District PLHAsForum, hosted an HIV/AIDS stakeholders workshop where HIV/AIDSstakeholders shared views on the best practices to use to reduceHIV/AIDS and monitor Anti-retroviral drugs provision in LyantondeDistrict

5 farmers groups closely worked with our staff in selecting topics fortraining, venues and planning activities aimed at increasinginformation sharing and adaption of sustainable agriculture. As a resultof their active participation, 20 permaculture trainings were carried outin 5 farming communities to enhance farmers learning, skills sharingand discussions on sustainable farming.5 farmers groups with 25 to 40 members each have been able toengage in sustainable farming and establish environmentally friendlygardens. 7 farmers were also taken for a study tour to a goat-breedingcenter where they learnt skills in goat breeding.

Field staff translating a permaculture movie to local farmers


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3.3 Improve capacity of orphans, youth and other vulnerable

children to take informed decisions about their lives and

improve their socio-economic statusICOD Action Network worked with 15 youth leaders to train their peersin sustainable agriculture as a source of income.

The organization also trained youth in information technology, offeringthem a broader platform to access information and resources vital fortheir learning and decision making processes. The organizationscommunity information center trained 87 youth farmers in 2012 ofwhom 63 were girls. 9 of the girls trained are now employed inLyantonde Town. Only 1 boy out of the boys trained was able to getemployed basing on the skills he acquired at Lyantonde InternetCenter. All the youth trained were enrolled as Information Agents forthe respective villages.

A youth farmer (left) makes a presentation during a permaculture training.


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3.4 Advocate for adherence and observance of fundamental

human rights

The organization continued to embrace Human rights Based Approachin all its projects. All project implemented in 2012 were based on thefollowing principles;

i) AccountabilityThroughout the year ICOD Action Network continued to strengthenaccountability and monitoring structures in all its field andadministrative departments. In 2012, the organization starteddisplaying its financial reports to the public as a way of building itsaccountability structures and seeking public opinion on its income andexpenditure.ii) Universality

The organization involved all people of different class, ethnicbackground, gender and religion in its projects.iii) Equality/ non discrimination

The organization continued to include marginalized groups of people inits projects. Men, women, elderly, youth and People Living withHIV/AIDS were continuously included and consulted in all projectimplemented throughout the year. The approach helped the abovecategories get access the organizations resources and services .iv) Indivisibility / inter-relatedness

ICOD recognizes the importance of all human rights and theirinterrelatedness. The organization continued to analyze the humanrights deficits in the social, economic and political aspects of thecommunities and used multidimensional approaches that involved

working with and empowering communities to create sustainableresponses to their most pressing challenges.v) Participation

The right to participate in public affairs is a human right, recognized inInternational human rights standards. ICOD Action Network ensuredthat beneficiaries participated in planning, monitoring and evaluationof all projects implemented. In most rural communities where theorganization worked, there were imbalances in power relations andparticipation in decision-making on key issues affecting marginalizedgroups like orphans, widows and People Living with HIV/AIDS. The

organization worked on altering these power imbalances and suchgroups also started to directly take part in decision-making.


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ICOD Action Network is Registered as a Non Governmental Organization in Uganda

[email protected] , www.icodactionnetwork.org Tel: +256 792 165 208 / 701 103 44510

4.0 Output indicatorsTable i

Objective 1: Increased awareness on HIV / AIDS to positively change peoples attitude and behavior

AchievementsOutput Indicator

Target Actual

achieved

Variance

Remarks

Village Health Teams(VHTs) trained

50 0 50 They are key players in HIV and AIDSawareness in communities. The same targetshave been set for 2013 since no VHTs were

trained in 2012.

Number of teacherstrained

50 0 50 Teachers are vital in HIV/AIDS campaigns inschools and shall be trained in 2013 to cover

up for the missed 2012 targets.

Community leaderssensitized

20 6 14 Community leaders have greatly participatedin project activities and have helped incommunity mobilization.

Women leaders

sensitized

21 20 1 Women leaders actively participated in

sensitizations and have increased HIV/AIDSawareness among women

Bar maids and

restaurant attendantstrained

40 0 40 The targets werent met due to budget

constraints but being a high-risk group, moreattention will be given to them in 2013.

Female Condoms

distributed

10000 5070 4930 This activity improved womens sexual rights.


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Table iiObjective 2: Improve capacity of communities and families to care and provide support for people

living with HIV /AIDS


Target Actual

achieved

Variance

Remarks

Group members trainedin leadership and groupmanagement skills

30 12 18 The trainings have yielded improved groupmanagement by leaders the organizationtrained or interacted with in field activities.

Farmers trained in

permaculture

2400 1462 938 Local farmers now understand the importance

of sustainable and environmentally friendlyfarming practices.

Groups having savingsand credit Schemes

started

4 2 2 The two groups have strengthened theirsaving and credit schemes and have been

able to open up bank accounts for savingpurposes. However, opening of bank accounts

is limited by lack of banks in their villages.

Number of permaculture

demonstration farmsstarted

1 0 0 A permaculture demonstration farm was

identified as a feasible community investmentfor promotion of sustainable agriculture. The

project has been carried-forward to 2013 asthe organization looks for funders andpartners for the project.


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Table iiiObjective 3: Improve capacity of orphans, youth and other vulnerable children to take informed

decisions about their lives and improve their socio-economic status


Target Actual

achieved

Variance

Remarks

Number of social groupsidentified and trained

4 3 1 Social groups of motorcycle riders wereidentified and trained in positive living and

HIV/AIDS prevention.

Number of youth trainedin Information

Technology and enrolledas Information Agents

150 87 63 The target wasnt met because illiteracyamong out of school youth who would have

attended training. 63 of the trainees weregirls

Number of boxes ofmale condoms

distributed

24 11 13 The target wasnt met because of shortagesin supplies. The demand for condoms

increased after sensitization on condom useas a prevention measure to HIV infection andSTDs.

Youth who got employedbecause of ICT skillsacquired

50 10 40 10 of the trainees got employed of whom 9are female and all the trainees came back ascustomers at Lyantonde Internet Center after

training.

Study tours organizationfor farmers groups

2 1 1 One study tour for farmers was organized toenhance skills, networking and knowledgesharing among farmers.


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Table ivObjective 4: Advocate for adherence and observance of fundamental human rights


Target Actualachieved

Variance

Remarks

Youth sensitized onhuman rights andaccountability

105 47 55 Through field activities, the organizationinteracted with 47 youth and staff sharedinformation on human rights andaccountability. This will help build local youth

activists.

Human rightspublications produced

2 1 1 The organization Human Rights BasedApproach to Development module wasupdated.

Number of HumanRights partners

identified

5 1 4 1 new organization working on advancementof Human Rights was identified and contacted

for future partnership.


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5.0 Cross Cutting Issues

5.1 Rights Based AdvocacyRights Based Approach continued to be consolidated in all project

activities, trainings, meetings, and publications at all project

implementation levels. The organization continued to consult localleaders to ensure that they fulfill their obligations to the rights holders.

The organization plans to engage high-level government leaders on

the same issues and accountability of public funds. Our staffs were

equipped with RBA/P theories and legal framework of a child andcommunity dialogue as a tool of mitigation of violation of rights.

5.2 GenderGender remained a key aspect in all project activities and when

selecting project beneficiaries. However, due to high level ofvulnerability among girls and women in the area of operation, the

organization gave more attention to issues affected girls and women.The organization will continue to work with and empower girls and

women to uplift their social and economic status.

Women take part in a group discussion during a farmers engagement meeting


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5.3 Environment

ICOD Action Network integrated environment awareness in all

activities conducted in 2012. This will continue in 2013 under the foodsecurity, water and sanitation projects.

5.4 Networking with Partners

ICOD Action Network continued to liaise with partners in the district to

reduce duplication of services and improve NGOs performance. Theorganization hosted another HIV/AIDS stakeholders meeting in

December 2012.

6.0 Lessons Learnt The elderly in Lyantonde district need special attention due to their

vulnerability especially those who lost all their children to

HIV/AIDS.

Local level Savings and Credit associations started by communitiescan change their economic status compared to micro credit lendinginstitutions that exploit the already poor communities.

Community capacity building through community based groups andSelf-help groups are a viable venture as this strengthens

community members to assist vulnerable individuals in theirlocalities.

Most of the HIV/AIDS affected families our staff interacted with lackor have collapsing houses, have no access to clean water and have

no sanitation facilities in their homes. Construction of houses andwater tanks to the vulnerable persons can help improve their

quality of lives.

Training youth in ICT has greatly improved their access to vitalinformation and creating networks among youth on which theorganization can build a solid youth volunteer base capable ofcreating positive change with in their communities.

More girls need to be trained in information technology and lifeskills because of they more vulnerable to social and economic

exploitation that their male counterparts. Trainings in marketableskills will help them acquire employment.

Agricultural trainings yielded positive results by increasing foodproduction in families, thus promoting food security.

Starting up a permaculture demonstration farm to offer on-spottraining, seminars and workshops for farmers will improve

communities adaption of sustainable farming methods.

Networking with other organizations with in the district and beyondis crucial for the growth and development of ICOD Action Network.

There is need to critically analyze the role ICOD Action Network canplay in HIV/AIDS control measures putting emphasis on referral

roles, mentoring PLHA organizations and partnering with healthservice providers.


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Continued capacity building of staff through trainings, exposurevisits is crucial as they widen their scope of understanding and

skills, which are important for ICOD Action Network.

7.0 Partners

ICOD Action Network partnered with the following organizations in2012. Government of the Republic of Uganda Lyantonde District Local Government Lyantonde District NGO Forum Project Focus GlobeMed Spantre Canady Foundation Rural Community Based Aids Project Kyambogo University Lyantonde District People Living with HIV/AIDS Forum 5 farmers groups

8.0 Conclusion

2012 was a year of great achievements for ICOD Action Network and

communities we worked with. As indicated in this report, a lot wasachieved in empowering communities and ICOD Action Network willcontinue to work with communities and other partners in all projects in2013 and throughout the next 5 years cycle.

Documents

ICOD Action Network Annual Report 2012