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Uganda

The Landscape

Along the steep mountainsides of Southwest Uganda, DIG is working with a number of non-traditional farmer groups.

While the area is blessed with two rainy seasons per year, accessing water is a major obstacle. Collecting groundwater often involves traveling long distances. Extreme deforestation has left topsoil bare and, during heavy rains, hillsides are prone to landslides.

The communities DIG serves here are uniquely marginalized. While we primarily teach restorative agriculture to improve nutrition and enable livelihoods, our advocacy also fosters productive relationships between these farmer groups and the government, the broader community, and other resources providers in the region. The non-threatening nature of our program allows us to build trust while having a positive systemic influence.

DIG’s Commitment

In 2016, a generous grant from Dining For Women enabled DIG to expand our work to include the mountains of Southwest Uganda. What started as a pilot project has grown to have regional of impact.

Here, along the edges of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, DIG has adapted our approach to serve two distinctly marginalized groups:

The Batwa, a tribe of conservation refugees –  Exiled from their indigenous home in the early 1990s, with no tradition of agriculture, the Batwa had struggled to secure livelihoods and food security outside the forest. They have a life expectancy reported as low as 28 years old and are often the victims of physical and sexual violence.

People Living with Physical Disabilities – Due to the rugged terrain, poor transportation, community neglect and stigma, the barriers for people living with physical disabilities to have healthy, productive lives are exponentially increased.

DIG has been working diligently to build trusting relationships with these unique communities, and we’ve adapted our programs to best meet their specific needs.

We are committed to growing our impact in this region for years to come and invite potential partners to contact us with interest.

Perspective

“I’ve gained so many friends from supplying these vegetables, as well as an income. I feel pleased. People have come here and found good things in me and it makes me feel proud.” 

~ Parfura, group leader for Nyakabungo Group

Current Programs


Forest Conservation & Food Security for the Batwa 

People Living with Physical Disabilities & Community Allies 

DIG's Uganda Team


Gloria

Uganda Country Director

Gloria is the Program Coordinator for the U ganda DIG program. After graduating with a diploma in business from the Uganda College of Commerce in December 2017, she joined the DIG team as a facilitator the next month. Using lessons her mother taught her from childhood, Gloria’s skill and knowledge of organic agriculture made her a great teacher. Her ability to engage communities personally, commitment to high quality work, and strong leadership at staff meetings made her a standout choice for coordinator. She has seen 20 groups through farmer field sc hools and she is motivated to continue expanding the reach of the program to more communities

Jane

Lead Facilitator

Jane is a lead facilitator who received government training in organic agriculture in 2009. She comes from one of the communities DIG serves and maintains an impressive home garden. Jane uses her network and good will within the community to serve both the Batwa groups and people living with disabilities there.

Sylivia

Local Facilitator

Sylivia is DIG’s newest team member, having j oined July 2019. Sylivia has a certi ficate in Agriculture from Kisoro Technical Institute . She also was a vast amount of experience in sustainable agriculture through part of Mutolele Hospital’s Education Training Centre . Sylivia previously worked as a volunteer at the hospitals’ garden, whe re she used to lead trainings for children during the weekends

Andrew

Local Facilitator

A farmer since age 12, Andrew joined DIG in 2019. He comes from a community DIG serves and recently studied Crop Production and Management at the University level. He has used DIG to advance his own learnings and strengthen the DIG training experience for people living with disabilities. He also helps manage DIGs data system and has received an internationally recognized certificate in Permaculture Design.

Pacras

Local Facilitator

Formerly a teacher within the community, Pacras joined DIG in 2010. While working with several groups he is especially involved with our programs serving people living with physical disabilities. He uses his talents as an educator to support community trainings and adminstrative work.

Amos

Local Facilitator

After graduating with a certificate in agriculture, Amos joined DIG in 2018 and focuses his work with the Batwa, learning about the unique challenges they face and working at an individual and group level to support them in their progress.

News from the Field: Uganda


Community Transformation

Serving the Most Vulnerable in Uganda

November 2, 2020

DIG prioritizes uniquely vulnerable populations that are often left out of other development opportunities. The Batwa, and People Living with Disability in Uganda are some of the most vulnerable groups we serve. See how we've adapted our program to restore health, wealth, and a sense of belonging.

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Community Transformation

Greg Bogdan’s Mkungu Memorial Garden, Uganda

August 18, 2020

Thank you to Greg Bogdan for encouraging DIG to grow and showing us that challenging efforts aren't to be shied away from, rather these are efforts we can work out together. Equally, thank you to the incredible community who loved and cherished Greg and who personally donated to DIG in his memory. May this garden and the gift of his presence in our lives continue to root and grow in us.

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Community Transformation

Augustus and Estrella Overcome Mobility Challenges to Grow

June 25, 2020

How one family turns a life changing accident into an opportunity to develop a family farm.

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Recent

Digging Deeper: My experience telling stories from the field as an intern

August 19, 2019

Supporting the Ugandan team over the course of three months to learn how they listen, respond, and co-create helped me understand international development at the grassroots level.

Read More

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Program Partners


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Help Plant Seeds That Reap Life

Help Plant Seeds That Reap Life

With your support we can grow our capacity to equip uniquely vulnerable families with the skills and experience to meet their own needs and improve their well-being through gardening.

Donate

Who We Are

  • DIG’s Mission
  • Staff
  • Board of Directors
  • Partners
  • Annual Reports
  • Contact

What We Do

  • Our History of Growth
  • The DIG Model
  • Senegal
  • Uganda
  • Kenya

Take Action

  • Donate
  • Shop DIG’s Gift Garden
  • Events
  • Cocktails & Castoffs
  • DIG Adventure Trips
  • Volunteer / Intern
  • Careers

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