Sustainability -- What does that look like?

Sustainability is simply, the capacity to endure. I talked about it in Hand-In-Hand's Mission Statement.  So, what do I mean in terms of the work that we are wanting to accomplish in Bugabo?  What does a population of people need in order to endure?  After all is said and done, missionaries have gone home, donors have found a new purpose or lost their financial ability to give, aid is no longer available?  What does it look like to create a village that does not need hand outs, but one that is self-sustaining, that can endure on it's own?  There is no simple solution, but we believe that making the community stake-holders in it's own development is vital.

1. People need adequate food and water sources.   How is that achievable?  A staple crop such as maize needs to be grown and milled locally.  Meal is a primary source of carbohydrates that prevents starvation.  The village people need to be given a local place to mill the corn they grow and education on how to run that mill as a co-op.  A governing body needs to set aside part of the proceeds from the mill to support other developmental efforts in the village like school, housing, and sanitation.  By giving the people a vested interest in the workings of the mill, the community can profit and the individual can profit.  Women and young girls who usually have to travel over 10 kilometers to the nearest mill will no longer have to do this, and they should be given primary responsibility for the day-to-day operation and business management of the mill.  Girls are free to continue their education.  Women are free to become contributing members of society on a new level.  The community can profit, and this profit can be reintegrated into the school and public works projects, such as providing more rain catches or boreholes for clean water sources.  If an income source is provided, the standard of people's living will increase.  Initial assessment and budget for the maize mill has already been conducted.  Funding sources are being sought now.  Grant writing and submission to begin immediately.
2. People need health-care.   At a community gathering, people voted to first address the issue of a maize mill, then health care.  It follows logically that food comes before health-care, but what a decision for any person to have to make.  The establishment of a clinic to provide basic health care needs and health related education is key to the village's survival.  Assessment of the feasibility and long-term facilitation of a clinic is proposed for the end of this year.  Data assessment and grant writing proposed for Mid 2011.
3. People need education.  The "Lisa Adam Memorial School," a pre-primary and primary school, has lost its funding.  Although buildings are present for the children, the day to day running of the school is no longer being supported.  Community investment needs to be understood.  Teachers are reluctant to move to these impoverished areas after attaining an education because they are paid little.  One factor that can bring teachers to an area is to provide housing.  Also, a system of volunteer teachers from outside Uganda could be an important tool.  Making the school sustainable without outside influence is a long-term goal; however, until then this should be seen as a disaster needing aid so that the school can continue to function until lasting support structures can be determined.  Data assessment and grant writing to begin January 2011.

Evaluation of support mechanisms on-the-ground in Uganda is vital to the implementation of any project.  Communication with Project Resource Network Uganda and other unidentified NGO's is important before the grant writing process can begin.  Networks of people working together is the only way to make these events happen.  Without cooperation between existing organizations, missionaries, and the community, all the work in the world will not affect enduring change.  As the director of Hand In Hand, I know that these issues will take years to address, but I also know that your help at this crucial, formation stage is imperative.  Be a pioneer who is not afraid to give unconditionally.  Without that leap of faith, your questions will never be adequately answered.  Did I ask for a donation today?  Will you donate for the Assessment Mission that was scheduled for the beginning of November?  We need to be on the ground in Uganda for at least 10 days before any formal commitment can be made to any cooperative projects.  Just $25 can mean a lot at this critical point in our creation.