KOICA impacting lives at the grassroots

Nov 29, 2018

John Kiyaga, the chairperson of the village, attributes this remarkable setting to Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

The residents are involved in poultry and piggery projects so as to boost their income.

The bumpy dusty road to Kiwumu A village depicts a completely different picture of what lies ahead. Located in Mpigi district, about 22km from the district headquarters, this village boasts an unusual setting, which makes it outstanding among over 80 villages that constitute Kammengo subcounty.

The general cleanliness flows from the trading centre to people's homes. Even a blind eye is attracted by the litter-free streets, walkways and well kempt compounds. It is a village that embraced a ban on kaveera (polythene bags), a campaign every resident pays keen attention to. They even have a mayor, Robert Walusimbi.

Additionally, the murram road that snakes through this village is wellmaintained, free from potholes and bushes on the sides. Meanwhile, by 5:00am, the whole village is awake save for the children. The group goes jogging for around 2km while waking up other community members. They then assemble at the chairperson's residence for exercises before cleaning their trading centre.

KOICA's effort

John Kiyaga, the chairperson of the village, attributes this remarkable setting to Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) which has greatly transformed their lives since 2016. "They first of all changed our mindset to embrace the three principles that have helped South Korea to grow rapidly in a short time," he says.

The principles include self-help, diligence and co-operation that involves working together. Down memory lane, in the 1960s the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was ranked among the least developed countries at the same level with Uganda.

However, through its paradigm ‘Saemaul Undong' this country has managed to transform itself. This model concentrates on empowering people at the grassroots for inclusive and sustainable rural communities.

It was piloted in seven villages in Mpigi, among them Kiwumu A, courtesy of the Government of Uganda and that of the Republic of Korea as well as other partners. Kiwumu A has 162 households with a population of over 912 people who are all members and beneficiaries. Through their committees, this community has been able to engage in income-generating activities such as poultry and piggery projects.

he chairperson of iwumu  village ohn iyaga right and residents work on one of the village roadsThe chairperson of Kiwumu A village, John Kiyaga (right) and residents work on one of the village roads

 

"Our livelihood has greatly changed. We no longer wait for the Saemaul Undong syst em has transformed the Mpigi villages government or good Samaritans to help us," says Noeline Gwokyalya, the village women representative.

Transformation journey

Kiyaga recalls that in 2016, from his village, five leaders were chosen and taken to National Farming Leadership Centre (NFLC) in Kampiringisa along Kampala- Masaka highway. "After five days, our minds had positively changed and we are challenged to better our lives and communities at large," he recollects.

Kiyaga adds that they were trained on key aspects to excellence including accounting for the time spent in a day since time is money, general cleanliness of the environment and the significance of group saving. When the group got back home, they embarked on implementing what they learnt.

They began by forming five committees each with five members to man the different departments. These include; farming, sanitation, finance, women and infrastructure. These submit monthly reports to the top village committee, which also consists of five members. They in turn discuss the reports while identifying key areas that need to be uplifted before taking the reports to the district leaders and wait for feedback.

After accessing the report, the district advises the committee on what to do. This is then discussed in the village's general or emergency meeting to forge a way forward.

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