Kamwenge & Uganda
Progress and Transformation
Uganda is endowed with very rich resources, occupied by well-meaning generous, happy and peaceful people. But Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world.
In 2012, 37.8 percent of the population lived on less than $1.25 a day but enormous progress has been made in reducing the countrywide poverty incidence from 56 percent of the population in 1992 to 24.5 percent in 2009. Poverty remains deep-rooted in the country's rural areas, which are home to 84 percent of Ugandans.
Kamwenge is located in the Southwestern region of Uganda. Kamwenge is a rural community of mostly subsistence farmers, the majority of whom are returned refugees.
The Kamwenge District
The District is considered one of the poorest and most challenged districts throughout Uganda. A recent Uganda study showed children from Kamwenge District rank second in malnutrition in the entire country. Many citizens are former refugees who returned home in 2002 after being displaced from their homes in the 1970’s by Idi Amin. The Ugandan government offered these families small plots of land where they survive as subsistence farmers. Most families live in mud houses and survive on $2.00 (US) per day.
“Partners in Mission preaches bringing hope and causing transformation in the lives of the people of Kamwenge of Ugandan returnees chased out of Tanzania. They started out with only the land allotted to them by the government of Uganda. Their future remained uncertain with growing population, without education and no sustainable income sources. We determined that by educating the younger generation we would liberate their mind and develop skills and Godly values would create a bright future.
If you want to change a community you must start with it’s youth. Starting with just a handful of students we have built a campus providing education and skills. Where there was bush, a modern center of learning is flourishing; where refugee children had no hope, they are now facing the future with confidence; where ignorance was the order of the day children are yearning for more computers; where the community was feeling inadequate they are now not only productive but asking for more engagements. There has never been a more hopeful time for this community.”