Big boost : Caritas Nebbi boost single mothers with piggery project, donate  wheelchairs to PWDs.

By Mike Rwothomio

Caritas Nebbi Catholic diocese has boosted Nebbi single young  mothers group  with a mega  piggery project, aimed at transforming their  livelihoods.

The Faith based  organization is optimistic that the  enterprising project will  provide the  small scale subsistence farmers with a clear opportunity for increased household income. 

Caritas Nebbi Diocese deem it fit to acquire the large white exotic breeds of piglets that its management  does not require large areas of land. Apparently, a well furnished pigsty has been erected for the group where the animals are being  kept. 

The  young women association is  called “Anyim Lac”  Youth Women Group from Jupakenu village, Ayomu Parish, Jupangira Sub-County , Nebbi district .

The beneficiaries  that comprises 20 young mothers,   most of whom are living separately with their husbands  and are shouldering responsibilities with their children solely.

Rev father Benedict Abiwekango Benson, the director Caritas Nebbi told this publication in an interview that , the initiative is one of the key measures to   restore  hope and improve  livelihoods of the young mothers.

” We have got an opportunity from some supporters and well-wishers to help our single mothers , the young mothers who could have drop out of school because may  be they found challenges with studying or some became pregnant not because of their own making but now, they need a second chance in life ” Said Rev. Abiwekango

Pigs are ideal business  due to their  fast growth rates and  Ugandan  good feed-to-meat conversion ratios gives piggery Projects a thump up.

Piggery Projects more often  give hope  for their caretakers since  they  usually breed twice a year, and produce between 8-12 piglets in a litter thus helping them fetch more money within a shot stint.

Caritas Director Rev. Abiwekango is optimistic that if well maintained, the initiative will blossom and impact these young mothers lives.

” Caritas come to give them a second chance in life by giving them this piggery project which we believe when they take care and keep them well, it will help them raise some income to take care of their families and also take care of themselves” He added .

The organization is hopeful that after some months, the project will expand to help  other members of the community. 

 Progress of this church powered   prospective life changing venture, will in the long run add to the   millions of households in Uganda keeping pigs.

According to the latest National Livestock Census report released by Uganda Bureau of Statistics, about 2.2 million households in Uganda keep pigs majorly for commercial purposes.

Beneficiaries react

Mildred Tekakwo, the chairperson Jupangira chapel said ” we thank the church for this project, I carefully selected these single young mothers who are mainly products of failed marriage to benefit from this initiative, I know them one by one and I believe the project will transform their livelihoods” 

Scovia Anirwoth,  another beneficiary whilst carrying her one- year-old  baby girl at the back ecstatically noted that ” I would like to thank Caritas for this project, I’m sure that the project in future will help us pay fees, invest in business amongst others, but we pray that they train us how to effectively manage them” 

Over  4 Million  out of the 7.1 Million pigs in Uganda are females and according to experts,  notwithstanding the poor fertility conditions, a female pig is able to produce at-least 5 piglets.

Emmanuel Oyirwoth, a field officer at Caritas Nebbi believes if well maintained, the piglets will rapidly  multiply thus  impacting  the lives of the beneficiaries.

Chris Mulindwa, a  Pig Business Consultant in his recent interview with the independent magazine stated that,  for a  successful piggery Project operation,  feed supply is a prerequisite since it  account for about 80% of the production costs on a pig production enterprise.

In support of these subsistence young mothers, Caritas Nebbi on the day of the piglet’s delivery,  also donated some Pig feeds  compounded using maize and  small grains and concentrates as a start-up package

The officials briefed the beneficiaries how to feed and   operate a breeding or feeding unit for successful management and maintenance of the animals.

A recent study  conducted by  International Livestock Research Institute indicates that the  per capita consumption of pork in Uganda is 3.5 kilogrammes, making it the biggest consumer of pork in Africa and second to China globally. 

The raving demand and appetite for the pork meat therefore make  its demand to keep on sky-rocketing.

In related development, the Faith based organization also donated a number of wheelchairs for some Persons with disabilities across the Diocese, as part of the Christmas special package according to the director Rev father Benedict Abiwekango Benson.