Gimbo Elizabeth is a youth and she is 19 years old. She dropped out of school two years ago because she lacked school fees. She lives with her mother and her five siblings in Bukomolo Village. Her father died several years ago from HIV/AIDS. Her mother has no job and she is also sick. Her youngest sister was impregnated by unidentified man and she gave birth in December last year.
Due to their family condition, Gimbo opted to labor in GWI garden near her home. Last year, she managed to save money to buy food for her family and paid hospital bills for her mother. She also buys milk for her youngest sister and the baby. The father left them with a piece of land and Gimbo wants to start using it to increase on their household income. But she lacks farm inputs.
Many youths in Bukomolo and surrounding villages have stories like that of Gimbo. They face challenges of early pregnancies, STIs, alcoholism, smoking, domestic violence and unemployment. Some are single mother after being denied by men who impregnated them.
GWI through the Agriculture Project is helping these youths. Recently, the hand walking tractor, groundnut Sheller and groundnut grinder that were acquired are creating jobs for these youths. Jobs like plowing, shelling, winnowing, sorting, packing and marketing.
“Through this, we will have time to listen to them, pray together and draw schedules for other activities such as reproductive health talks and film shows, football and netball games, music dance and drama. But we need financial and material support to implement these activities.” Says Grace Nakajje, GWI CEO.
These agriculture equipments were donated by friends from Central United Methodist Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas in USA.