New podcast episode – Supporting disability justice in Uganda with ADD International, BUDU and SNUPA
In our latest podcast episode, we speak with UK Aid Match grant holder ADD International, and representatives from their implementing partners in Uganda – Buganda Disabled Union (BUDU) and Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism (SNUPA). Their UK Aid Match project is supporting young people with disabilities through kitchen gardening, improving food security for them and their families, and reducing their risk of violence.
ADD International are empowering disability rights organisations and activists in Africa and Asia to drive change for people with disabilities. Over the past two years they have been supporting BUDU and SNUPA to implement this project and advocate for young people with disabilities.
Listen to the podcast episode to learn more about the project, the support BUDU and SNUPA have received to drive change for people with disabilities and what’s next for ADD International in their mission to strengthen disability justice activists and organisations.
Extracts from podcast
“Persons with disabilities have told us directly – they don’t want to just be consulted; they want to take the lead and use their lived experience for more impactful work. We have seen first-hand that this is not only a fairer approach – it’s more effective.” Scovia Mwerya, Uganda Team Lead ADD Interational
“Through the UK Aid Match project, SNUPA works to challenge norms about what young women with disabilities can do. We show positive role models in kitchen gardening, campaigns and media, and support peer leaders to directly engage with families, VSLAs and government to dispel myths and show what is possible when young people with disabilities lead their own initiatives.” Peter Ogik, SNUPA.
Are you conscious about the impact your organisation has on the planet?
In this podcast episode we speak to Samarjeet (Sammy) Singh Thapa, Sustainability Data Analyst for mdsustain, and Meshark Sikuku, Farm Systems and Sustainability Coordinator for Ripple Effect about strengthening organisational sustainability.
mdsustain partner with businesses and organisations to invest in a green future. And Ripple Effect, a past UK Aid Match grant holder, specialise in sustainable agriculture, gender and social inclusion and enterprise development in East Africa.
Listen in to learn about Ripple Effect’s sustainability journey with mdsustain, how this helped shape their sustainability vision for the future, and tips for other organisations looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
Extracts from podcast
Sammy – “Sustainability is a driving force across sectors, and CSOs and charities are facing mounting expectations to integrate sustainability into their operations. This is also true for SMEs. There are more and more organisations participating in sustainability reporting, focusing on areas like carbon footprints and compliance with international standards.”
Meshark – “First is that sustainability is a core part of our organisational strategy. Our mission is to equip and inspire African communities to transform lives and protect the planet. So, our strategic goal is to safeguard the environment through establishing policies, continuous trainings, and monitoring the impact of operations on the environment.”
Listen to the podcast in full on YouTube.
*Please note this podcast episode addresses themes of sexual and gender-based violence, which may be upsetting or triggering for listeners*
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sexual and gender-based violence is rife and often used as a weapon of war.
SCIAF are the official relief and development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland and have been working in the DRC since 2001, supporting women and girls who have been affected by sexual and gender-based violence.
In our latest podcast episode, we spoke to Louise Joyce, lead for the UK Aid Match programme at SCIAF and Thérèse Mema Mapenzi, Director of Centre Olame in the DRC (SCIAF’s partner) about their recently completed UK Aid Match project.
During this episode Louise and Thérèse share SCIAF’s six-pillar approach to sexual and gender-based violence which includes supporting survivors with medical care, trauma counselling and legal support, as well as looking at ways to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in the future. We also hear from Rachel Mwinja Nyakadekere, Community Animator at Centre Olame, who reads out a story from a survivor who has established her own sewing business, and a story from a participant in the project who has become a role model for positive change in her community.
Listen in to the podcast episode to learn how SCIAF implemented their six-pillar approach, how they challenged harmful gender and social norms, and their key learnings and reflections for other organisations who are thinking of working with survivors.
Extract from podcast
“So as part of our six pillar of prevention, we trained youth, local and mixed-faith leaders, and they became key influencers for change at the individual household and societal level amongst their peers and within their community structures. The training covered theoretical and practical aspects of leadership, human rights, as well as promoting gender equality and positive masculinity. It’s very important to include men and boys who are part of the solution.”
