GPSU Stories – Global Pathways to Success

The Aguu Project

Jan 2 2024

Success Story: Stakeholders of Mayuge District Share of a Jigger free Busoga

On the 15th/05/2023, Global Pathways was hosted by Mayuge district with key stakeholders in the District Board room. Global Pathways for Success-Uganda (GPSU) presented feedback on their success stories, intentions of scaling up, and providing more health services to affected victims.

For the past 4 years, GPSU long-term projects was to implement a jigger free Busoga region project with a goal of completely eradicating jiggers by sensitizing communities, treating jigger patients and advocating for the supply of essential medicines to communities, rehabilitation of victims and their integration in communities.

What is Jiggers?

According to Wikipedia Jiggers is “a Tunga penetrans is a species of flea also known as the jigger, jigger flea, chigoe, chigo, chigoe flea, chigo flea, nigua, niknik, sand flea, or burrowing flea. It is a parasitic insect found in most tropical and sub-tropical climates. In its parasitic phase it has significant impact on its hosts, which include humans and certain other mammalian species. A parasitical infestation of T. penetrans is called tungiasis.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunga_penetrans

Tunga penetrans has affected the shores a Uganda in dynamic ways, leaving the people that become infected with social, emotional, and physical debilitations that can led to death. GPSU has made efforts to transform community perception , attitudes and practices towards positive hygienic and sanitation behaviors that will contribute to jigger eradication consequently, improving general health status and sustainable community development.

This project that has been implemented in Busakira sub county will now be rolling out to Bukabooli sub county which is yet another sub county affected by jiggers according to a survey that was carried out recently. Present in this meeting are; the District Vice Chairperson, Representative of the RDC, DISO, principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, District community Development Officer, District Health Officer, in-charge Kaluuba health facility, sub county leadership of Busakira as well as VHTs. #community #leadership #health #success #development #project #sustainable #EndpovertyNowInc #Mayugedistrict

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The Aguu Project

Oct 2 2023

The Challenges of Partnerships in Africa

Reaching the People

Of course, there are also some challenges to working with local partners. Some of the most common challenges are:

Communication and cultural differences: It can be difficult to communicate effectively with partners from different cultures. It is important to be patient and understanding, and to take the time to build relationships.
Differing priorities: Sometimes, the priorities of the organization and the local partner may not be aligned. It is important to be clear about expectations and to be willing to compromise.
Lack of trust: In some cases, there may be a lack of trust between the organization and the local partner. This can be due to past experiences or to cultural differences. It is Despite the challenges, the benefits of working with local partners far outweigh the risks. By working together, organizations and local partners can achieve great things.

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The Aguu Project

Sep 21 2023

Building Partnerships in Africa

The Importance of Working with Locally

Photo of Aguu Uganda, entrepreneurial women displaying their handcrafts.

In today’s interconnected world, it is more important than ever to work with local partners. By partnering with local organizations, businesses, and governments, organizations can gain access to local knowledge, resources, and support. This can help them to achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently.

There are many benefits to working with local partners. Some of the most important benefits include:

Access to local knowledge and expertise: Local partners can provide organizations with valuable insights into the local context. This can help organizations to better understand the needs of the community and develop solutions that are more likely to be successful.
Access to local resources: Local partners can often provide organizations with access to resources that they would not otherwise have. This can include things like funding, facilities, and staff.
Increased legitimacy and credibility: Working with local partners can help organizations to gain the trust and support of the community. This can be especially important in developing countries or in communities that have been historically marginalized.
Increased capacity and reach: By working with local partners, organizations can expand their capacity and reach. This can help them to reach more people and have a greater impact.
Shared responsibility and accountability: When organizations work with local partners, they share the responsibility and accountability for the success of the project. This can help to ensure that the project is sustainable and has a lasting impact.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success when working with local partners.

Learn More…

careinnovations.org – 10 Ways to Create Effective Community Partnerships

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The Aguu Project

Apr 20 2023

Catch GPSU on You Tube!

In this video, we’ll be talking about the “Life of Aguu Project,” a documentary series and feature film by Global Pathways to Success Uganda (GPSU).

The Northern Region of Uganda has been affected by violent conflict for over 22 years, leading to the establishment of communities like the “Aguu Community” in Gulu district. These communities, as well as IDPs in the region, face numerous challenges such as lack of access to basic needs, trauma and mental health issues, gender-based violence, limited access to education, inadequate housing and infrastructure, and lack of legal protection.

GPSU has been conducting social surveys to understand the challenges facing the “Aguu Community” and similar communities in the Northern Region and is planning to raise awareness of the issues through a documentary series and feature film. The organization is supporting government efforts to address the root causes of poverty, conflict, and social exclusion by providing technical assistance, working closely with stakeholders, and empowering marginalized groups. Through its initiatives, GPSU is promoting sustainable community development, building peace and reconciliation, and empowering marginalized groups in the Northern Region of Uganda.

The “Life of Aguu Project” aims to document the progress made by GPSU in implementing the project, provide valuable insights into what worked well and areas that need improvement, and ensure that the intended outcomes are achieved while developing strategies to maintain the project’s impact over time.

By prioritizing the needs of marginalized groups, GPSU is working towards building an inclusive, just, and equitable society. The project interventions include conflict resolution and peacebuilding, gender equality and violence prevention, education and employment opportunities, transitional justice and reconciliation, basic services, and governance. These interventions are intended to address the root causes of conflict and promote self-sufficiency among conflict victims, building an inclusive, just, and equitable society.

The expected results of the project are the documentation of progress, distribution of services to beneficiaries, continued campaigns, meeting with local leaders, and the development of an expansion work plan. Overall, the project aims to improve the lives of the beneficiaries, increase access to essential services, and strengthen relationships with local communities.

Stay tuned to our channel to learn more about the “Life of Aguu Project” and other inspiring stories of impact in Uganda. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to get updates on our latest videos. Thank you for watching!

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The Aguu Project

Apr 5 2023

THE JIGGER FREE BUSOGA PROJECT

Monthly Jiggers Health Campaign 2023

Project Title: Jigger Free Busoga Project

Project Location: Busoga Sub-Region, Eastern Uganda

Project Background: Busoga sub-region is the poorest region in Uganda with a rapidly growing population caused by low adoption of family planning services, food insecurity, lack of income sources at household level, illiteracy, and jigger infestation. Jiggers are a blood-sucking sand flea that lives in warm and dusty environments, and their spread in the region is attributed to poverty, hygiene, illiteracy, climate, culture, among others. The warm dusty environment of the region and exposed dirt floors, walls, and compounds common among many homes, which are even shared by both humans and domestic animals, create an enabling environment for eggs that incubate even inside the home. Jigger infestation causes physical effects such as inflammation, fibrosis, ulceration, and sepsis, loss of toenails, and in extreme cases, death of the victim. The risk of secondary infections such as HIV is high, and cases of tetanus have been reported among those who are jigger-infested. The infestation also subjects children to psychological problems such as low self-esteem and social stigma, which interferes with their concentration resulting in poor performance and school dropout.

Project Objective: To eradicate jiggers in Busoga sub-region through community sensitization, treatment of jigger patients, and advocating for the supply of essential medicines to communities, rehabilitation of victims and integrating them into communities. The project aims to improve the health status of the community, reduce poverty, and increase access to education.
Proposed Intervention: Global Pathways to Success Uganda (GPSU) has been implementing the Jigger Free Busoga Project for the last four years, reaching out to several families in Mayuge district with plans to expand to other districts in the region. GPSU has treated over 1000 people, 60% children, and 40% adults, with essential medicines, trained Village Health Teams (VHTs) in case management, integrated abandoned victims into communities and their families, and is looking forward to supporting victims to engage in income-generating activities. The organization also puts efforts to transform community knowledge, attitude, and practices to positive hygienic and sanitation behaviors/practices that will contribute to jigger eradication and improved general health status and sustainable community development. The project uses a continuous multi-sectoral approach and active community engagement to win the battle on jigger menace and use the existing knowledge and community structures for positive behavior change in jigger prevention and control.

Expected Outcome: The project aims to eradicate jiggers in Busoga sub-region, improve the health status of the community, reduce poverty, and increase access to education. The project will also support victims to engage in income-generating activities and integrate them into communities and their families.

Budget: The project budget is estimated at $3906 monthly, an estimate of $15,625 for a period of 3 years, covering community sensitization, treatment of jigger patients, advocacy for the supply of essential medicines to communities, rehabilitation of victims and integrating them into communities, income-generating activities, and monitoring and evaluation.

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Nov 17 2021

The Human Consequences of Jiggers: Juliana Kasibina

Paul, a farmer who works in people’s farms for pennies, holding his fourth born daughter, Juliana Kasibina. They live in Iganga district, are facing poverty, and the girl is malnourished. She used to bite her own hand due to hunger and they feed poorly and sleep poorly. He has five children but they all sleep in one small hut, with only a one-inch mattress and barely any beddings. Seven humans sleeping in a small hut presents many social and mental problems for the family. Juliana cannot walk, is retarded and, she got a medical condition that affected her brain due to delayed treatment. During the #GPSUBusogaCampaign in both 2019 and 2021, we were able to provide them with some food for the short term and, medical assistance, beddings and clothing are in plan for the long term. She got a device, which will assist her in walking again. We are also working with Paul to help him earn income for his family through meaningful work.

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Nov 17 2021

Life with Jiggers: Mukose Elipa’s family

Mukose Elipa a father of four with a wife who is soon to give birth to their fifth child. They live in Mayuge district in Uganda. Here we see him with his 12-year-old daughter and, 15-year-old son. They too were living in poverty and one of the results is a sand flea (jiggers) infestation of the whole family, with the children affected most. During our first outreach #GPSUBusogaCampaign in 2019, His wife Lucy Naita had four children but, as of our recent outreach in 2021, she was eight months pregnant with their fifth and at the time this was published, she had already given birth but without even a door, for their house. Add on to that a shared sleeping area with no beddings and the picture gets worse indeed. The whole family unfortunately was affected by a jigger infestation in their home, and the children had the most serious cases because they had no shoes and they sleep on the ground. During their interview, he said he was very appreciative that we came to help as they truly are in need. It is moments like this that motivate us to work, reminders that we are providing help to those who really need it. They need a house because someone bought the land on which theirs is yet they are land squatters and, that is a long-term solution we have for them For the short term we were able to extract the jiggers from the bodies of the whole family, . We additionally are working to help Mukose generate income through his mat and basket weaving skill. He even considers selling his merchandise nationwide.

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Nov 17 2021

LIfe with Jiggers:Tibesigwa Esther

This young girl is Tibesigwa Esther and behind her is the mother. She is three years old and she was born mute and lame. Her father left the responsibility of raising her to the mother, who unfortunately is poor. What was supposed to be a joyful experience because it was her first child, turned instead into sorrow as she waited year after year for her daughter to walk and talk. During the outreach to Iganga District #GPSUBusogaCampaign on September 14 2021, we interviewed the mother who told us her daughter’s needs. They live in a house with no door and they have no beddings so they can only sleep on mats or clothing on the floor. For the short term, we were able to supply them with some food and, for the long term, beddings and a wheelchair. We are also working to help the mother find a way of generating income to sustain herself and her daughter.

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Nov 12 2021

Life with Jiggers: Amelia Lusaga

This charming teenager is Amelia Lusaga. We met her and the mother during an outreach #GPSUBusogaCampaign in 2021. Her mother narrated to us a very detailed story about what life has been like with her albino daughter. Ranging from discrimination from educational and medical personnel, to misunderstanding from other children and mothers of other albinos.

Albinism is not a disability; it simply means they have no melanin, the black pigment in Africans skin. It is a form of protection so because they do not have it, they need extra protection from direct sunlight both for their bodies and eyes. She also emphasized that the organization raises more awareness in society about albinism, to address the challenge of discrimination from teachers, doctors and other people.

We praise her for being a resourceful mother because she has single handedly given her daughter the best of life she can, including teaching her how to read and write. Amelia says she wants to be a doctor, and we believe we can assist her in achieving her dream, that being our long-term solution for her. Due to discrimination from teachers, with some of them asking her to leave the classroom because she is a distraction to her fellow students, the mother has resorted to home schooling her. She does not have quality education and we are helping her to get it.

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