By Brian Atuhura
In abid to improve the quality of life for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda,BRAC, with funding from the MasterCard Foundation,is implementing a five -year project titled "Accelerating Impact for Young Women in Africa"(AIM).
The initiative, launched in 2022 and set to run untill 2027,aims to reach more than 222,500 girls and young women aged 12-35 years living in poverty across the country.
According to Noreen Kyokushaba,the Masindi Branch Manager for the AIM program,the district target is to support at least 21,000 vulnerable girls and young women to empower them both economically and socially so they can adequately support their households.
She noted that,the project also prioritizes provision of scholastic materials to help disadvantaged girls remain in school.
Kyokushaba further emphasized that the AIM program seeks to reduce gender based violence within communities while equipping beneficiaries with livelihood opportunities.
She revealed that,the livelihood and cost sharing component is expected to roll out early next year which will provide support in agriculture, livestock rearing, entrepreneurship and TVET skills.
"We are currently implementing the program in eight Sub-Counties including Nyantonzi, Pakanyi, Kyatiri Town Council, Kabango Town Council, Budongo, Karujubu Division, Labongo and Kiruli Sub-County", She said .In February next year,we will roll out the livelihood package, where selected households will receive enterprise support ".
Kyokushaba made the remarks today, during a district sensitization meeting on the livelihood and cost recovery model held at Kolping hotel in Masindi Town.
Speaking during the same meeting,Musa Kyamiza,the Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (PACAO), commended BRAC for complementing government efforts through the livelihood support project.
"As government,we may not have all the resources required to implement everything we desire or reach everyone", Kyamiza noted.
"The ultimate goal is to serve the community and ensure services reach the last person.BRAC has consistently supported the district especially through financial literacy and entrepreneurship interventions ".
He encouraged individuals who may have missed benefiting from the Parish Development Model (PDM)to take advantage of BRAC's AIM program.
Closing the engagement, Hellen Tugume,the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC),hailed BRAC for promoting girl child education through the provision of scholastic materials which has helped many vulnerable girls stay in school.
She also acknowledged the organization's efforts in supplementing government programs aimed at combating poverty.
Tugume, further appealed to stakeholders to support President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his bid for another term, noting his achievements in poverty reduction, health sector improvement and road infrastructure development.