Integrated Community Learning for Wealth creation – (ICOLEW)

Introduction: It’s a two year pilot program running in 03 districts of Mpigi, Iganga and Namayingo.

The program goal is to contribute to GoU efforts of wealth creation by undertaking integrated learning and training strategies at household level. It targets non and semi literates from 15 years.

Objectives are: enhance literacy and numeracy skills; strengthen capacity of  participants to access micro finances ; increase the involvement of the rural poor in government program that seek to raise household incomes; and  enhance public sector capacity to respond to identified community issues.

Coverage: The program is in two pilot Sub counties of: 1. Kammengo, in Kanyike Parish in all the ten villages- i.e. ten Community Empowerment Groups (CEGs); with an average of 30 (thirty) participants per group. In Buwama Sub County, there are two pilot Parishes of: Sango – six CEGs and Jjalamba four CEGs; again one per village. Total number of CEGs is 20 with close to 600 participants.( as per program design)

Program components: they are five, namely: enhancement of literacy and numeracy skills; formation of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA); Community development initiatives; vocational skills training; and business skilling.

Uniqueness of the program:

-integrates implementation of reading, writing plus numeracy with support to creation of livelihoods based on issues raised, discussed and agreed upon by the participants.

-It has deliberate integration of delivery of services by other departments such as agriculture and health

Progress in year one:

a)      All the planned twenty CEGs were established and are functional; with increasing social bonding.

b)      A total of 600 participants are in the process of enhancing skills in reading, writing, and numeracy (in Luganda) linked to the issues in agriculture production, environment conservation, water and sanitation.

c)      All the participants in the 20 CEGs have saved and borrowed money.  By December 2017, the CEG with the highest portfolio was at Ug shs 8,000,000=; while the lowest stood at Ug shs 1,000,000=.

d)      In the majority of villages community development activities (self-help) such as clearing of water sources, maintenance of community roads; have been done after engagements with Extension Workers from the respective departments.

Plans for 2018:

-          Implementation of components: 4. Vocational skills training and 5 business skilling based on demands on the market.

-          There will be the establishment of community learning centers as a hub for information that will sustain enhanced literacy skills and hence promotes lifelong learning.

Ministry: of Gender Labour and Social Development

Development Partners:  DVV- German Adult Education Association