Better Beginnings, Stronger Families

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (i) Increased use of improved teaching methods and environmental education by teachers, and increased number of primary school aged children attending eight target schools; (ii) increased use of new knowledge by health workers and community members, and of primary health care services and family planning by communities living around seven target health centres; (iii) increased use of clean water and local management of water sources by local communities living around the ten targeted water sources; and (iv) increased use of improved sustainable agricultural techniques, livestock husbandry, and forest and resource management.

Results achieved as of December 2014 include: (1) completed renovation/construction of three schools for about 3,100 students and equipped them with pedagogical material (books, dictionaries, posters, maps, and didactical materials) and furniture (22 benches per classroom, furniture for teachers and the directors’ offices; (2) built a block of six latrines in each school; (3) completed the renovation/construction and equipment of three health facilities with operating and gynecological tables, medical kits, solar panels and other health care supplies for about 14,500 people; (4) started renovation/construction of four schools and four health structures in July 2014, and were 95% complete before the end of the year; (5) built a block of four latrines and two showers, one incinerator, and one placenta disposal hole in each health facility; (6) trained 346 health workers and community volunteers in disease prevention methods, reproductive health and family planning management tools, early childhood health and sanitation; (7) trained 136 community based development agents (CBDA) and 146 health workers on health topics such as prevention of infection from HIV and other sexual transmittable diseases as well as family planning methods, early childhood care; (8) educated 62,956 people in family planning and reproductive health issues; (9) protected 5 springs in four villages one of which is attached to a water piping system that contains three fountains; (10) trained five water committees to be operational; (11) trained 350 farmers in sheep, rabbit and chicken husbandry, veterinary care and sustainable use of the livestock; (12) distributed 432 animals (sheep,rabbits and chickens) to trained farmers; (13) 500 students have joined active Roots & Shoots groups in the three schools. Roots and Shoots is a youth action program which empowers young people to address issues in their communities; (14) established three tree nurseries with the help of women; and (15) 13,140 fruit trees and 129,385 indigenous seedlings were planted by members of communities on their land. These have improved access to basic education, health and livelihoods for beneficiary communities in the territories and Lubutu located East of the Democratic Republic of Congo of Walikale and Lubutu located East of the Democratic Republic of Congo.