Work

After two weeks of travelling amongst the different departments, this week I will begin my project! My host organization, Kitovu Mobile, does an amazing array of community development and support projects. It is made up of three main programs: Home Based Care, Comprehensive Care and Treatment Program, and Orphans and Vulnerable Children Family Support Program. Home Based Care consists of nurses and other health professionals who travel across 7 districts (provinces) to deliver anti-retroviral medicine (to combat the effects of HIV) and other health support. Comprehensive Care and Treatment is made up of health professionals as well as teachers and counselors who work with communities affected by HIV/AIDS and/or poverty to provide emotional support. Finally, the Orphans Program is in place to ensure that HIV/AIDS orphans are provided with support and life skills so that they can support themselves, even after the loss of their parent(s). Some initiatives that this programs work on are: palliative care (lessening pain of those close to death), self-help groups, cooperative savings programs, mobile farm schools for school drop-outs, and a Grandmother’s project in partnership with the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

                “Yeah, yeah. That’s all well and good but what the heck are YOU doing?”

When I first arrived, my supervisor presented me with a tentative work plan to create a demonstration farm in a poor community with the aim of using it to help train community members in modern, sustainable agriculture techniques. I’ll admit, the idea didn’t get me too excited at first but the more I’ve learned about agriculture and community projects, the more excited I’ve become. My first task, and project for this week, is to create a three-year strategic plan that will outline the goals of the demonstration farm, the methods we’ll use to create it, and how it will be sustainable. I’ve got a good idea in my head as I’ve visited a couple of similar farms so I’ll be compiling their ideas to create the plan. Once the draft is in place, we will organize a meeting with influential members of the community where it will be and get their input. From there I’ll complete the final draft and will have a better idea of what I’ll be doing the other 5 months!

So far everyone at Kitovu has been very helpful but with over 70 employees, remembering everyone’s names has been a challenge! I really like my two supervisors as well and they are very knowledgable and encouraging. I’m very excited to get this project started and see how much I’ll be able to contribute in my time here.