Kimanya-Ngeyo Foundation, our partner in Uganda, reacted swiftly to the changes and the new reality the pandemic brought to the country. A core group was created right at the beginning to monitor the situation both at the national level as well as the input from tutors on the ground. Kimanya decided early on that the best way to tackle the crisis would be to learn more about the virus as it would have implications for the types of plans to be made.

Coordinators for each line of action in the organization were encouraged to devise plans for tutors around the country to review materials that had been previously prioritized. All tutors and participants were also encouraged to take time to review the agricultural units in their study, to reflect on how they might initiate food production activities in their homes and encourage others to do the same. This was to ensure their communities´ food security over the coming months.

To reach as many people as possible, local radios and mass communication devices have been used to share information with neighbors and even neighboring villages. This opportunity allowed Kimanya to promote the potential urgency of increasing local food production activities to a larger population. At the same time, Kimanya began utilizing their own resources, such as land at their training centre, seeds in their seed bank, and funds to purchase seeds, all with the goal of ensuring that food production activities are taking place and storage of food ideally being saved over time.

Recognizing that this virus has brought changes that will undeniably be in place for the foreseeable future, they are making every effort to be as productive as possible despite the limitations.

At Unity Foundation, we are truly humbled to read these recounts and hear how our partners such as Kimanya are adapting in proactive ways as they endeavour to return to the promotion of the well-being of their communities in these uncertain times.