Simply better: A Ugandan project shows how basic tools can transform

MODEL HOMES AN EAGLE HELPS YOUNG WOMEN’S LIVES TAKE OFF

Focus on God

Life can be hard in Uganda, but a Mothers’ Union project is helping. Barbara Mugisha and Ruth Segane report

Young women’s lives are taking flight thanks to Eagle, Mothers’ Union’s flagship programme in Uganda, which began in 2013. It has reduced teenage pregnancy, early marriage, and gender-based violence. Using Church and Community Mobilisation (CCM) based methodologies, it tackles harmful beliefs around self-worth, dependency and the availability of resources. The programme encourages imagining a better future and shows how to achieve it. Bible studies encourage the understanding that God created us with unique gifts and by working together as a church and/or community, that potential is released for the common good. Valuing women

This can be applied to any aspect of life. If genderbased violence is prevalent, facilitators work towards changing perception of gender roles.

Many Ugandans face food poverty and insecurity daily. Eagle trainer Ruth Segane (pictured), helped set up model homes to show simple tools can produce food for the family, the local community, or to sell. The model homes also provide washing facilities light and heat. There are 38 model homes in Ruth’s diocese of Luwero, and MU has provided seeds, demonstrations and training.

One technique is ‘Farming God’s Way’, invented in the 1980s by Brian Oldreive in Zimbabwe. It uses inexpensive items like rope, bottle tops, measuring cups and kitchen spoons.

The aim is to restore God’s land to its original state. Those taking part have reported improvements on modern farming techniques. Bible verses accompany the process, such as Ecclesiastes 3:11 – ‘He has made everything appropriate in its time’ and Colossians 3:23 – ‘Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men’. Crops produced include cabbage, green peppers, carrots, rosemary, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lemon, fennel and coriander. Ruth also demonstrates how to create washing methods. The tippy tap (pictured) is made from a bottle, wood and string. A pedal tilts the bottle, so that the tap and the bucket of water can be used more than once because people don’t have to touch it. The model homes are a great way to use everyday objects. However, crucially, when combined with the Eagle teachings, they demonstrate how we do not need to seek external help to bring God’s love to those around us.“ By working together as a church or community, we are able to release that potential for the common good