Danida Church Aid (DCA) Project Success Story Project Title: Supporting Food Security in Eastern Equatoria State
Situation/Background: The Project “Supporting Food Security in Eastern Equatoria state” is a one year project (Project start date was 1.1.2019 and the project end date is 31.12.2019). The project overall objective was to provide access to food and other lifesaving assistance through cash, market based programming, provision of productive assets for vulnerable households, and increasing the capacities of communities to respond to disasters, in Eastern Equatoria State. This project is aimed at meeting the acute humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the protracted conflicts is a way that builds resilience. The project specifically aimed to improved access to food and other basic needs among most vulnerable Households affected by the conflict. Secondly, the project aimed to increase livelihood opportunities and diversity agriculture production among IDPs, retunees and host communities. The third specific objective was to strengthen local markets capacities and functionality in order to achieve this specific objectives SPEDP provided support for the most vulnerable IDPs, retunees and host communities through unconditional multipurpose cash transfer, seeds and tools distribution, fishing kits distribution, support for Village Saving and Association through capacity building and distribution of VSLA kits , support for beekeeping groups, capacity building for the beneficiaries and construction of market structure to support local markets, the project targeted the most vulnerable internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities.
Programme Activities:
- From 16th to 17th of May 2019, SPEDP distributed both crops and vegetable seeds and tools for 580 households (this includes 197 Males and 383 Females households, the vegetable seeds distributed includes; onions 50grams, eggplants 50 grams, tomatoes 50 grams, okra 50 grams, the crops seeds distributed includes sorghum 5 kg and sesame 2kg while the tools distributed includes hoes and watering can (1 pc each per households).
- From 14th to 19th April 2019, SPEDP project team in collaboration with the CDC and the local authority carried out labour market mapping. The objective was to find out whether fishing is feasible within the three payams which includes Nimule, Pageri and Mugali payam respectively. The results indicate that fishing grounds are found along the Nile River and along Achwa River. Therefore households who have access to fishing grounds can be targeted for fishing support.
- On 15th of June 2019, SPEDP field project team in coordination with the local authorities and cash distribution committees organized for the fishing groups registration in Nimule
- SPEDP community based facilitator in collaboration with the payam extension workers planned for the farmers training on the 20th of June 2019.
- From the 21st of June to 3rd July 2019, SPEDP trained 119 farmers (29 male and 90- female farmers) from four farmers groups in Bio 1, Longua and Gbugbu and Mugasa village respectively. The people who were involved in the training included the local authorities and SPEDP field staffs. Farmers were trained on the following topics; Site selection for farming, land preparation, planting techniques, other agronomic practices such as weed control, crop rotation, cover cropping, integrated pest management, nursery establishment and management, farming as a business, soil conservation and soil fertility improvement and agroforestry.
- Eight village saving and loan associations were formed, and trained and are currently involved in saving and borrowing of loans. The number of members within the groups is 269 members (21 male ad 248 female members). The total number of groups is nineteen while the total number of members is 578 (23 male and 575 female members). The cumulative saving is 4,210,320 SSP. The number of loans is 159. The value of loan outstanding is 2,365,590 SSP. Loan cash in box /hand is 1,844,730 SSP. The social fund is 414,500 SSP.
- SPEDP project team and Juba team in coordination with the local authorities and the cash distribution committees, DCA representatives from Juba office carried out cash distribution from 18th to 24th of October 2019 in Pageri, Kit 4, and Olikwi and Mugali payams respectively. 580 households received the cash this includes 197 male headed households and 383 female headed households. Each beneficiary received 12,375 SSP.
Result/ Impact
- The fishing groups were formed within those locations which include Jelei Boma, Olikwi Boma, pageri Boma and Ganzi Boma because the labour market mapping results indicate that fishing grounds are found along the Nile River and along Achwa River.
- 80% of targeted HHs has improved food security as a result of cash transfers.
- 70% of target HHs report reduced use of negative coping mechanisms post cash distribution.
- Livelihood opportunities are increased for vulnerable households, increasing grass-roots resilience.
- 60% of individuals engaged in producer groups reporting improvement of income
- Markets supported in improving community access to goods and livelihood opportunities.
- 70% of market actors reporting improved market functionality at closure of project.
- 80% of trainees reporting improved capacities in business management and book keeping.
- 450 households reporting an increase access to capital due to Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) groups.
Sallah el Dud Mohammed is a father of five, 4 boys and 1 girl whose right leg got amputated due to gun bullets. Mr Sallah lost one leg and injured on his right arm. Said Sallah; “I became disable due to conflict, but still taking my family responsibilities at this trying moment. I appreciate Support for peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) with support from Danida Church h Aid (DCA), for introducing this initiative here in Anzara. Sallah uttered, the living standard of my family has improved because of this support. In the first distribution I received 11,090 which I bought 1 goat and has produced two (2). I used the other part of the money for family consumption and invest other in agriculture activities and paid children tuition. This second distribution, my plan will remain the same as the first such that in future when the goats grew; I will sell and be able to afford for my family demands. He urged SPEDP and DCA to persist with this initiative because it has created hope and has normalized the livelihood of the most vulnerable people affected by the protracted conflict.
Mrs. Selina Otto is a beneficiary who lives in Pageri appreciate the cash distribution distributed by Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) with support from Danida Church Aid (DCA). Selina said “this Initiative which is introduced to us by SPEDP is helping people here in Pageri. I’m going to invest this cash to buy charcoal and sell at the market such that it can sustain my family. We don’t have anything that we can depend on to consume, with this support I will be able to buy food and complete my children tuition fees. She further said that, the conflict has affected them and the way of living became difficult because there was no access to other items. Selina thanks the work of SPEDP and DCA and urged them to continue with the support such that it can give vulnerable people living in Pageri hope to stay.
Photo: Mrs. Regina Atung Yoro poses for a photo at her home in Old Fangak of Jonglei State in South Sudan
Regina Atung Yoro is 27 years Old; she is a single mother of four children 2 boys and 2 girls. Regina is a beneficiary of Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) and Food for the Hungry (FH) in Old Fangak. The community in Old Fangak goes for Open Defecation (OD) in the bush which has caused them a lot of sickness. She stressed that “the intervention of SPEDP and FH with Households shared latrines has help them a lot. “My family was the victims of water borne diseases because of drinking contaminated water. I was not able to save little money for other family demands hence all the money goes for treatment. My children suffered with diarrhea to the extent I almost lost them.” This initiative has help in community transformation through the hygiene sessions. The elders defecate in the bush and children do open defecation behind the houses which produces bad smell; said Regina.
Since the intervention of Support for Peace and Education Development Programme and Food for the Hungry, the community got adapted to use of latrines which resulted to less cases of illness and infectious diseases in Old Fangak. Mrs. Atung urged SPEDP and FH to continue with this initiative such that the hygiene practices in the community will improve.
Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) and Food for the Hungry (FH) with support from OFDA/USAID, implement WASH in school project through menstrual hygiene management and WASH clubs .The project is targeting reproductive age school going girls with menstrual hygiene kits and messages in Old Fangak. The intervention of SPEDP and FH in Pigi Canal village is to promote environmental awareness, promote personal hygiene among pupils to improve sanitation and reduce outbreak. Community in Old Fangak and Pigi canal were able to know faecal oral transmission and its prevention methods and water sanitation diseases.
Nyabiel Joseph Diing a mother of 7 children 2 boys and 5 girls lives in Pigi. The only source of water they had for consumption was stagnant swamp water which is about 2 kilometer walk from her home. She uttered that, before SPEDP and FH intervention, the community had less knowledge about the water borne diseases. “This initiative help us a lot, the home visits, community dialogue meetings, and the aqua tap distributed by the hygiene promoters to the community has reduced illness and infectious diseases”. Mrs. Nyabiel appreciated the initiative and said that she no longer over spend on treatment because there was reduction rate of illness and infectious disease among her children.
Rehabilitated Hand pump machine/ Bore hole in Old Fangak. Photo credit by Maliamungu: Community at SPEDP rehabilitated water source in Old Fangak of Jonglei State.
My name is Chol Del Wol , I am living here in Bor Poc now four years since the war broke out. Since I came here in the PoC I didn’t come across these kind of initiative SPEDP and UNDP has brought to us. Women here in PoC has lost hope and always thinking negative but when these initiative was brought I can feel there is change in me because everything is going on well since day one of the training. Life is becoming simple and easy for me because I have learnt how to sew/ design bed shed both with machine and hand. So far, I can make like four in a day and these will earn me money for living and take good responsibility of my family and children. As women here in the PoC, we are very happy for these initiative brought to us by SPEDP and UNDP to transform our lives and hinder economics amongst family. May God bless you and open every possible way forward for your plan to help vulnerable people across South Sudan.
My name is Elizabeth Joseph staying here in Bor PoC. I’m happy since joining these Programme brought to us by SPEDP and UNDP. As one of the woman here in PoC, we are really very happy and appreciate these initiative which God has directed to come to us so from now we know he will not abundant his people. Many women lost their husbands and they are single mothers so life became hard to them to take full responsibilities of their households ; but after joining these Programme it has build hope in them. The skills we have attain from these training will be the husband of the widowers because the it will enable her to earn living and sustain life for the family. Skills doesn’t get old it remain forever so that mean when peace come to our Country, the knowledge and experience of this training will easy life for us. I urge SPEDP and UNDP to continue with these initiative and if there is funds, they should proceed to other villages and PoC to help because women are the victims of these senseless war. We are now living like free people who are cancel and free traumatize not like before as we were in Prison, because now every woman is busy and focusing on building her Living and change way of life in her family.
My name is Nyaluak Mabiel, I am doing Carpentry training here in Bor PoC. So far , I have learnt so many like designing and making of church cross, Karbala ( Local made for cleaning up any legumes with stones and sands), and soon we are going to make tables, doors , Windows and many others. I became very happy after joining these initiative and my living standard has change here in PoC because I am always busy here at the center and has nothing to think negative about myself and action to take. I want to thank SPEDP and UNDP for brining these beautiful Programme here in Bor PoC and targeting, that mean they have understand the suffering of women in these imminence war of South Sudan we are the victims. I urge women in other IDPs Camp and PoC to welcome these kind of initiative when it comes to place where they are, because it can equipped them with skills that will enable for better survival when peace is achieve in South Sudan. Peace will prevail so soon and the skills we are getting in these training will help and sustain our life. What Men can do , I have believe and witness Women also can do if they were given the required skills.
My name is Rebecca Nyiphaat, I am doing Computer training at SPEDP Centre here in Bor PoC. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks SPEDP and UNDP for bringing these initiative to us. Women here in PoC were traumatize and living with stress because they had nothing to do that will change their mind set to think positively. Now these training is making women busy from morning till evening , if you are to walk around the PoC ,you will find most women are here in the center. We appreciate these training because it is unique and different from what IOM has delivered to beneficiaries here in PoC. I have learnt so many things in the sector of my training which I didn’t know , before we were force to run here in PoC ;I was working in an Office but I don’t know how to use a computer and another challenges I was facing was the problem of English language which was difficult to me. But after Joining these training, I have learnt Computer introduction , Ms. Office Word, Excel , Opening a page in computer ,and other packages which I didn’t know. So far I have also learnt English , I know to do calculation which I thought computer has nothing to do with mathematics but it is making work so easy. I want to Thank God for bringing me this far to learnt these skills and I do believe it is going to help me in the future.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME SUCCESS STORY
Project Title: Emergency School Feeding Programme to reduce risks of Cognitive Underdevelopment and Malnutrition of School going Children in Renk and Melut County of former Upper Nile State.
Situation/ Background
The emergency School Feeding Programme which is implemented by Support for Peace and Education Programme (SPEDP) and funded by South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) is operating in two Counties of Renk and Melut in Northern Upper Nile State. Emergency School Feeding Programme targets 10 Primary Schools in both Renk and Melut Counties of Northern Upper Nile State with target beneficiaries of 5,000 School Pupils.
The Emergency School Feeding Project provides Capacity building to the Education stakeholders like Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs) / School Monitoring Committee (SMC) members and school meals to the Pupils in 10 supported Schools. The main Objectives of the School Feeding Programme are to increase enrolment and improve the performance of the pupils both in examinations and during lessons.
Programme Activities
- All the 10 Schools in the two Counties were reached 5 in Renk and 5 in Melut; the total number of the learners registered in Renk 4,060 (M=2,273, F=1,787), in Melut 2,590 (M=1, 700, F=890) and the total for both Schools were 6,650 (M= 3973, F= 2677) excluding teachers and the Cooks.
- 6,838 beneficiaries has benefited from these 0initiative in late September whereby (Pupils=6,650, Cooks=30, Teachers=158).
- Continuous monitoring and Supervision of Teachers, Learners attendance and Cooks Performance.
- Collecting Success stories to measure the Project Impact.
Results/ Impact
- There was improvement in enrollment in the schools which has exceeded the targeted number 5,000 to high number of beneficiaries with 6,838 in all the selected schools.
- Time management was improved due to the Programme , normal class was starting at 8:00 am children was disperse home at 11:30 am before the Emergency School Feeding Programme but after the Programme, normal class start at 8:00 am and learners dispersed at 2:00 PM.
- Teachers became active in teaching after eating because they are the secondary beneficiaries of the Emergency School Feeding Programme.
- Learner’s performance has improved since the Programme was introduced. When the last bell for dispersing is rang, they remain in school doing revision which lead to improvement in their Performances.
- The Programme has improved learners attendance on daily basis where by the absentees do happened unless a learner was sick or ill.
- The Emergency School Feeding Programme has motivated children to come to school hence most of them are from poor family and getting diet is not easy so these initiative made them to turn up to School because the food is available daily.
- Competition became high whereby the children from the Poor background are competing with those from rich background because their energy is now balance since the food is available which lead them to revise all the time.
- Since the enrolment has increased, there is reduction in the number of Street Children at the Market because many of them got enrolled in School.
Testimonies
Mr. Okiro Ogala Assistant Head Teacher in Presbyterian Primary School said, He is very happy with the initiative because it has makes Teachers to concentrates in teaching which makes children to be active and it has result to changes in performance. “Before this Initiative, we start class at 8:00 am and end at 11:30 am but after this Programme was introduced we start class at 8:00 am and end at 2:00 p.m. which is a big change in our School”. He further said, the number of enrolment has increased from 600 (B=350, G=250) learners before the Programme to 704 (B=397, G=307) after the Programme. Okiro urge the Programme to continue such that it Motivate children to keep enrolling to school next year. He appreciates SPEDP and SSHF for this Initiative.
Catherina Louis one of the learner said, “Before the Programme she used to go home to eat breakfast at home and it happened that sometime she gets nothing at home which made her to stay home instead of coming back to school and continue with the lessons. She continued “with hunger it is really difficult for her to pay attention on what a teacher teach during lessons. But since the Emergency School Feeding Programme, she has never miss classes, after breakfast I stay within school and do revisions sometimes up to 3:00 P.M. Catherina urge the Programme to continue such that she can reach at higher level of studying. She further thanks SPEDP and SSHF for the Progressing initiative which has motivated Poor children to compete with children from the rich background.
Mrs. Agau Garang Atem a teacher in Chief Shoum Aling Primary School in Renk County said “this Initiative has made many children to get enrolled in School because most of them are from Poor family. The learners has nothing to eat at home and that was a reason why the number of dropped out was high. But since the Emergency School Feeding Programme was introduced it has motivated them to get enrolled and pursue their Education. She further said the Orphan children who have nothing are continuing with school, because they got motivated. She urges the Programme to continue such that it will make them finish studies and strengthen their capacity to go to higher education. Mrs. Agau Garang thanks Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) and South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) for this Programme. I wish the Emergency School Feeding Programme Should reach all the schools in this County.
He further said that, they were longing for it since they are Internal Displace Persons (IDPs) in the area. Mr. Michael said, they had a lot of challenges before the Emergency School Feeding Programme which has resulted to low enrollment and learners drop out from schools. Most family was from Poor family where food was scarce. After the Emergency School Feeding Programme, there was increased in enrollment, attendance improvement and the learners Performance has increased compared to beginning of the year. Michael urged the Programme to continue such that it continues to motivate learners and improved the learning in Melut County of Northern Upper Nile State.
My name is Ammama Alison and I’m thirteen years (13) Old. I’m now studying in Al salaam primary school and I’m in Class five (P.5). Before Coming to Juba, I was staying in Mundri, Western Equatoria and that was before the fighting. When the fighting worsens my parents was murdered and for that case I was brought to Juba to stay with my grandmother. I have stayed for one (1) year without going to school (Schooling) due to lack of tuition which she was not able to raise. Since we came to the Internal Displace People (IDPs) camp, life became difficult because we don’t have something to survive with, no scholastic materials and payment of the tuition was really not easy for my grandmother because I keep on telling her I want to go back to school. She didn’t give up because she even wants me to study. So this year she tried to raise some money and this make her able to pay my tuition though people started in February and I resume school on March this year, I’m really very happy because I met new friends and sharing discussion with the teachers this makes me forget the past that’s why am continuing with my education. When these Organization Support for peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP) came with their support of distributing scholastic materials, I feel happy and giving much thanks to them and they have realize what is affecting our studies in the Internal Displace Person (IDPs) Camp. I wish they shouldn’t stop, they should continue with this Programme of supporting the schools and through the little earning of my grandmother, I hopefully belief I will finish my secondary education and even go up to University.
My name is Elizabeth Gisma and I’m 17 years Old studying in Al Salaam primary school Juba. Before Joining Al salaam, I have stayed two years without Education due to the political conflict that has taken place in the country. I fled Torit and came to Juba now am staying with my auntie. My mother fled Torit, Eastern Equatoria to take refuge in Uganda mean while my father stayed in Torit. Life was hard for us because we were force to run away from school and we were scattered in the bush but now in Juba the life is fair compare to Torit. I’m doing minor micro business and that’s helping me in payment of my tuition. I appreciate the support from Support for peace education and development Programme ( SPEDP) for their basic scholastic materials distribution to the school and this has reduce for me some other cost. Now I can still feel that I have the opportunity to complete my dreams of becoming a doctor in future such that I can help my family and community at large. I urge the organization to continue with their support and understand the sufferings of the people that’s really good, may the Lord protect and lift them with their work.
My name is Sunday Richard and I’m fifteen (15) years Old. My parents separated in 2010 when I was still young and I was left with my uncle who was the only one taking my responsibility. When I was in Yei River State before coming to Juba, I was in Primary Six (P.6) and it was my Uncle paying my tuition. My father proceeded to Khartoum after their separation and my mom lived in Juba with my two young sisters. Last year August when the conflict worsen in Yei, Unfortunately my Uncle was murdered and I was left alone don’t even know where to go.
I was in doors with my neighbor; because I know my mother contact I borrowed phone from the neighbor to call and narrate what has happen to my mother. Follow our discussion , she told me to go to taxi park empty handed and ask for my lift to Juba and she will pay the cash when i reach but the drivers refuse to help me due to lack of cash. My tears fall and I start crying thoroughly because I really don’t know what next I’m really going to do. Unfortunately another driver saw me crying, he came and asks the reason why I’m crying endlessly like that; I told him what has happen and the situation I was going through. He and the turn boy pleaded to bring me to Juba and my mom paid their cash after we have arrived. Reaching Juba, situation change from bad to worse because my mom doesn’t have a good job to earn enough for my tuition and I’m yearning to study. She do daily job of washing utensils which is not enough to buy us food so sometimes we sleep with the left-over she is bringing from the restaurant. I joined her in the Job and save up to One thousand and Six hundred South Sudanese pound (1,600 ssp) during my labour in the restaurant for washing utensils. Early this month, I consulted al salaam primary school head master concerning the tuition for upper classes; he told me the amount was three hundred and twenty five south Sudanese pounds (325) per term. After finding out the price is fair and I can afford from the money I have saved; I paid the tuition for three terms and I resume with my education. Though I’m continuing with the Job duties after school to support some of the needs; This Organization Support for peace and Education Development Programme ( SPEDP) and their working partners has help me a lot in their support for the school. The distribution of scholastic materials and porridge school is cooking through their support is helping students to attend class on daily basis and it has also help me a lot because it reduce the cost of scholastic material for me. I wish if they continue with the Programme, my ambition of completing senior four (S.4) will be great achievement because it’s my expectancy.