I conducted a survey with an aim of measuring the success and sustainability of the Busesa Orphans Piglet Project. This was based on the feedback from the beneficiaries on aspects of the original state of livelihood, benefits, and challenges encountered, family effort to sustain project as well as their recommendations on the way forward.
I had a chance of visiting and interviewing 5 children when I went to Buseesa on 12th February 2012.
List of beneficiaries interviewed and visited:
- Angella Nakagimu of Kitoro village
- Namalembeko Sylivia of Kitoro village
- Katambula Micheal of Kitoma village
- Nanyombi Scovia from Busesa village
- Sempiira John of Kiryabinyonyi village
It is a good project but requires continued sensitization and monitoring for sustainability to be achieved.
Methodology
A week prior to my visit, an announcement was made in church requesting all beneficiaries of the project to gather at church the following Sunday for an interactive session with a representative from the sponsors. Five Children turned up for the session and this report has been largely based on their opinion. It has also been supplemented by ideas sourced from the interactive discussion with Fr. Godfrey Kisembo and my observations while on site.
Objectives
- To find out the benefits accrued from the piglet project
- To find out the challenges encountered and what the families are doing to overcome them
- To find out their recommendations if the project is to be sustained
Interview Results
Angella Nakagimu from Kitoro village had received two piglets – a male and a female.
She informed us that the male piglet died two days after she took it. The female was sold after it had a miscarriage of 8 piglets. The money was used to pay for her school fees and for her treatment when she fell sick. Her guardian purchased another piglet which is still being looked after with the purpose of targeting future revenue to sustain her and the siblings in school.
She was thankful for the piglet which enabled her to go to school; she also thanked the donors for the books, pens, etc. which were sent to them. In her message to the donors, she requested for additional support in areas of clothing and fees which are still a problem especially now that she has gone to secondary school.
In her recommendations, the Buseesa orphans piglet project should be expanded to other orphans for the betterment of the region.
Namalembeko Sylivia from Kitoro village also had received two piglets – a male and a female. The male was sold off and the money was used to cater for school fees. The female has consecutively delivered piglets which were sold and the money too used for fees.
They want to sell the pig because it can’t produce any more. They will buy a replacement to ensure continuity.
Katambula Micheal from Kitoma village had received a female piglet.
The pig had two miscarriages before they decided to sell it. Other piglets where bought and shared amongst him and other orphans. Some money was used to pay for school fees and purchase of uniform and books. Father Godfrey told them that the miscarriages were because the pig was not treated or looked after well while pregnant. He therefore advised that special attention be taken when the pigs are pregnant.
Nanyombi Scovia from Busesa said that she had received two piglets which died from swine fever. She asked for more piglets.
Sempiira John from Kiryabinyonyi had received two piglets which died from diarrhea.
These two families had no profit. They asked the donors for another chance.
I visited another orphan from Kitoma where I found one expecting female pig and five piglets. They had sold the male pig and three piglets and the money was used to buy books, pens, clothes and to meet school fees requirements.
Challenges met were that the animal feeds and medicine were expensive and scarce. He however recommended the project to others.
Recommendations from the children
- They would like the project to continue helping them and others orphans to eradicate poverty
- They requested for support especially in terms of treatment for the animals
- Some children whose piglets had died were requesting for a second chance so as to increase their chances to study
Challenges encountered during the survey
- A few beneficiaries turned up for the interviews hence limiting the sample space
- Only two homes which are in the neighbourhood could be visited due to lack of transport
Mother Piggery Project
I later visited the piggery at the parish where I found more than five pigs and around 20 piglets. They are all looked after well, though I was informed that before the Fr. Godfrey Kisembo came they were not in a good state.
The Challenges met at the parish were
- Scarcity of animal feeds which are equally expensive. That in a day, at least 25Kg of maize meal was needed for the pigs.
- Secondly the Parish Priest never found any money on the Busesa orphan piglet project account to enable him buy food, medicine or pay the care takers.
- A debt of over 2 million was found as a claim from the former care taker and vet. Doctor. In addition an extra one million five hundred thousand shillings has been injected into the project to buy medicine, feeds and also pay the veterinary doctor. Father informed me that up to now there is no money on the account to enable him meet the above requirements.
In the three places visited the pigs were being fed on maize and water as their major food because the food is very expensive and scarce.
Overall Challenges of the Project
- None of the beneficiaries has ever returned a piglet as expected by the scheme hence continuity is not guaranteed
- Beneficiaries lack the skills and guidance on piggery, hence some families have completely lost out
- No funds to supplement the project
- No follow up/monitoring and evaluation exercise to ensure sustainability
General Recommendations
- Sensitization and training should be done before piglets are given out
- Periodic visits, training and caution should be given as a means of ensuring sustainability
- Some piglets can be sold to sustain the Mother piggery as the piglets from the beneficiaries are used to expand the project
In conclusion, it’s a great project but only requires commitment and follow up to ensure success.
Father Godfrey took some photographs and will have them shared with you.