Bulhalho Foundation (BUF) was conceived as a Community Based Organization (CBO) in 2015 in Kabarole and later in 2018,it was registered with the NGO Bureau in Kampala Under the Reg No; MIA/NB/2018//04/774.
BUF was started by a group of young dynamic persons who are experienced in various fields of humanities including journalists and social workers. The group has interrelated, identified and acknowledged the high levels of poverty and other social disorientation within the Rwenzori region.
The impact of household poverty and lack of social cohesion has greatly affected the youth, women and children who are by figures a hoped-for-center in shaping the future of Uganda.
BUF has conducted researches that have unearthed unfathomable challenges in as far as household productivity is concerned. A base line survey in the selected Districts of Ruwenzori still show a lack of concentrated efforts to elevate households from poverty.
Household heads are key controllers of all the finances in the homes irrespective of who puts a share on table. The women remain marginalized when it comes to making financial decisions in homes despite their unanimous contribution in sustaining the day-to day running of households.
On the other hand, a vast number of youth are unemployed while others are semi-employed despite the availability of various government programs that are geared towards improving their lives.
Finding show lack of a focused effort and information gaps which require must be attended to change this course. The young girls at their tender ages have been left out of all development agendas in homes and many have been left with no option other than engaging in early marriages which have negatively impacted their dreams and lives.
In Uganda, ethnic perceptions and stereotyping are a centre of people’s differences with those of other ethnicities, especially when it comes to accessing control over resources. Findings indicate that this case has only widened unrests among the community paralyzing social cohesion.
BUF seeks to address multi-dimensional needs of the three categories of people through building a more effective and coherent efforts among society to achieve household development.
Our approach provides guidance and elaborates strategies that government and partners could have employed to execute policies of development.
Our action plan provides clear implementation framework to integrate and coordinate interventions within and across different sectors and defines roles and responsibilities of each citizen in society in regard to development.
The plan is an advocacy tool to raise visibility of these marginalized groups, lobby for support to particularly the youth, women and children in our society.
We believe our action plan will help relevant sectors and other partners translate their operations to see how well they can be adopted in their own agendas.
As an initiative to attend to this socially challenging environment, BUF Founders are skilling up measures aimed at bettering the livelihoods of this cluster through enhancing their skills in business, improving their finance literacy, raising awareness on the value of peace, girl child education, women empowerment and appreciating the vast tourism potentials within the region.
We acknowledge that farmer innovation is an increasingly important part of agriculture research and development. BUF intends to build a hub of innovation to skill the youth and women who are majorly into subsistence agriculture. The idea is to make agriculture a business that is appreciated and supported.
Founders of BUF are concerned with the lack of empowerment among women and youth which has widened the social inequality gap.
Under our programs we target to improve the quality of media content and effective public voice and democratic process and the building of justice in the society. Uganda vision 2040 underscores good governance and institutional robust as the backbone of transformation. BUF programs are designed strategically to support the sharping of attitudes and behaviors to;
a) Foster social engagement for effective and sustainable culture of community service and the spirit of togetherness
b) Ensure affirmative action for women, youth and other marginalized groups especially in relation to social-cohesion
c) Be an agent of tapping government programs for livelihood development.
d) Improve the spirit of volunteerism among society members
BUF intends to render their services in Districts of Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Kyegewaand Kasese all covered under the Rwenzori region.
Overall goal of BUF
The overall goal of BUF is to create conditions for the marginalized groups in Rwenzori Region to play a more decisive role in their own development. The idyllic question BUF is answering is how communities can be agents of their own developmental change.
Vision:
An empowered and peaceful society with equitable development and high quality of life.
Mission:
Creating advocacy in a peaceful society where social development, harmony and environmental protection are a priority.
Objectives:
To promote peace, unity and reconciliation among children, youth, and women in Rwenzori Region.
Harmonize existing local programs related goals, objectives and strategies and initiatives within and across all sectors.
To contribute to improved livelihood of the children, youth and women.
Promoting Gender equality in service delivery.
Human rights advocacy for the marginalized persons.
To promote quality education among Community members.
To ensure environmental conservation with community led initiatives.
Target group
BUF targets the most marginalized or at-risk groups in the Rwenzori Region. Our programs target the youth, women, farmers, and the less privileged children.
Approach and focus
The approach designed by BUF to achieve its overall goal consists of strengthening local participation in their own development in ways that will improve livelihoods.
Strategy
The general strategy of BUF in delivering on its objectives is through community sensitization campaigns that are based at parish level, with thorough documentation of key findings, experiences and lessons.
We are employing change agent strategy where we encourage the spirit of volunteerism.
Geographical coverage of BUF
BUF is operating in the 8 Districts of the Rwenzori Region and these are Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa.
Guiding Principles
Holistic Social Development
Programs are designed in such a way that all the developmental domains (physical, social, cultural and linguistic) of society are taken care of. Our programs pay attention to the differentiated developmental needs of society where the locals must know their part in sharping a developed household and community.
Governance and Accountability
Leadership and accountability is a key area of focus if society is to develop. Citizens/electorates should understand the fundamental principles of good governance and leaders on the other hand must be able to provide accountable leadership. BUF believes in transforming a society that understands governance and be able to raise and demand accountability from their leaders.
BUF provides a linkage between leaders and citizens, through media engagements and local meetings.
Community Based Monitoring and Evaluation System
BUF established the community Based Monitoring system to engage local communities in continuous monitoring and evaluation of government programs. The approach was first piloted in Karangura sub county of Kabarole District.
The approach aims at improving grass root communities through learning processes, skills and knowledge formation that enables them to identify their needs and priorities. It’s a long-term process we believe will inspire the community to participate in government programs and take charge in overseeing their performance.
Peace and Unity
BUF takes into account of the various communal challenges interalia diverse ethnicities and the past historic conflicts in its program. We are in advocacy for social harmony and tranquility.
We are engaged in peace campaigns through radio magazines, drama and outreach community programs in the Ruwenzori sub region.
We also promote information dissemination about peace and unity to the communities through mobile camps. With this program, we have been able to minimize the interests of the youth in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts who want to create Yira Republic and make Fort Portal her capital city as an independent country from Uganda. But the youth with these desires no long have such ideologies and instead they have now concentrated on their farming businesses which has led to economic development in their homes and communities.
Vocational School Project offers the following;
Tailoring and gamete cutting, Knitting, hair dressing, and saloon management, Bakery, Catering and Hotel management, tourism and travel computer studies and Carpentry and Joinery; – we have stores, selling points and show room in Kazingo at our office.
Bee keeping
Farming –includes growing of cowpeas, maize, Irish potatoes, beans and maize. We have also formed other farming groups and taught them value addition, pricing, marketing and general modern farming methods.
Tourism and Travel; this program is under our vocation school and has helped the youth to get knowledge and skills and jobs in Catering and Hotel management
Since the inception of Bulhalho Foundation in 2014, 250 students have graduated and a warded certificates and attached to different employing institutions and have greatly improved their lives.
Education
We appreciate the Government’s commitment in improving the education sector notably continued zeal to push for the girl child education. However, we are fundamentally concerned with the high school dropouts and the failure by parents to support their children in school.
Vulnerable Education Sponsorship Program (VESP) for the vulnerable children is an initiative to have increased access to education. In this program BUF provides the needy children with basic needs and scholastic materials such as exercise books, pens, pencils, uniform, shoes, bags, festive gifts among other items.
We also offer;
Child monitoring and counseling in schools.
Advocate, lobby and support for infrastructural Development like construction of classrooms, pit latrines, orphanage among other structures.
Support legal services for the vulnerable children especially the girl child.
Talent development through fundraising and training.
Gender Base-Gender Based Violence (GBV)
BFU we are taking deep awareness creation to prevent and end violence against women and girls. We also empower women and girls to know their rights. We also engage men to be agents of protecting family harmony and be a voice in elevating women issues.
Finance Literacy
Women and Youth economic empowerment programs are essential if we are to achieve social transformation.
BUF supports women, men and youth groups with knowledge in finance matters to enhance their household incomes.
Under this program, BUF intends to intensify civic education programs sensitizing the youth and women about wealth creation.
Environmental conservation
The rapid changes in environment conservation have affected productivity at household level. Climate changes have greatly impacted on food security and the financial returns at household levels.
BFU appreciates the contribution of human activities towards climate change. We are engaged in; –
Environmental awareness through tree planting and distribution of tree seedlings.
Community sensitization and dialogues.
Environment Conservation Debates in schools/Institutions.
Family and Community Engagement
Our programs are tailored towards bringing both the family and the community in discussing issues that affect them and formulate a way forward. We believe problems communally identified are problems communally solved. The essence is to bring the sense of responsibility among the community members.
Research and Advocacy
BUF focuses on advocating for increased financial allocations to support programs for youth, women and girls to ensure quality, access and equitable distribution of social services. We are also reminded to involve the community in adding resources geared towards social transformation.
Strategic Direction
BUF aims at achieving social transform and integration through strengthened community participation in development agenda’s.
Organization Actions Strategies
Establish a fully-fledged team in charge of BUF programs
Establish centers of community engagements at every parish
Establish an action of “change agents” that would be a led in re-affirming action points in communities
Re-awaken the spirit of volunteerism among community members.
Food security and Nutrition
BUF ensures that all households are able to invest in food security and understand proper nutrition for growth and development. This will involve leasing with other key stakeholders skilled in food production and nutrition.
Child protection
A geared effort to ensure protection of children from all sorts of torture both at home and in school. This is done through community and school sensitization.
