EMPOWERING WIDOWS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS THROUGH POULTRY FARMING

The proposed project is aimed at improving the social economic status of 35 widows living with HIV/AIDS in Mityana district of Uganda through poultry farming by December 2025.

A survey conducted by WISIMODO in January 2023 in Ttamu Division, Mityana district under the theme of “Women Survival strategies, vulnerability and the impact of HIV/AIDS on households” revealed out of 350 targeted women respondents, 21 (6%) had been infected HIV/AIDS and did not have any gainful economic/entrepreneurship activities to support their households. Their survival strategies ranged from supplying causal labor, including working in other people’s gardens, food vending on heads with support of their children (orphans) in local markets. Some of them had re-married as a survival strategy; a bigger number o f l i v i n g w i t h H I V / A I D S did not access care and treatment services and had children whose HIV status was not known. Sadly, these women live without any vocational skills and income yet they have to take care of their family’s social needs including food, education for their children, health care and shelter.

The rationale behind this proposed project is rooted in the recognition that empowering women economically is a catalyst for broader societal development. By focusing on their livelihood improvement through poultry farming, WISIMODO aims to create a ripple effect that transcends individual empowerment and extends to families and entire communities.

WISIMODO will; a) Mobilize, select, register and train raining women (widows living with HIV/AIDS) in financial literacy and life skills and entrepreneur management. i) Conduct training sessions to enhance women’s financial literacy, covering topics such as budgeting, saving, investment, and debt management. These activities will empower women with the knowledge and skills necessary to make sound financial decisions. ii) Offer mentorship programs and business development training to women entrepreneurs, focusing on areas such as business planning, marketing, and financial management. Facilitate access to credit and capital. iii) Establish partnerships with financial institutions and non-profit organizations. iv) Develop financial education modules and training materials. v) Collaborate with financial institutions to provide tailored financial services for women. vi) Initiate advocacy campaigns to promote gender-inclusive financial policies.

i) Community leadership (Local government, traditional and religious leaders) ii) Area financial institutions to provide tailored financial services to the project beneficiaries.

• Increased income for 35 widows living with HIV/AIDS by December 2025. • At least 10% of beneficiaries will be able to meet their household s o c i a l needs including food, medication, school fees and other related education needs for their children. • The project will lead improved beneficiaries’ capacity in f i n a n c i a l l i t e r a c y , entrepreneurship and management skills and this will lead to sustaining the project outcomes.

WISIMODO already conducted a needs assessment, hence, the baseline survey findings will inform the project approach. WISIMODO has implemented similar projects in the target community before. Hence, we have the expertise. Besides, our organization is rooted from the target community, therefore we very well know all what works to achieve the project results and how. We very well know the needs/challenges of the target beneficiaries. Furthermore, our organization has a competent and committed staff (volunteers) to implement the proposed project.