Trócaire empowers families to recover and rebuild in communities in South Sudan
As Trócaire’s three-year UK Aid Match project comes to a close, families in South Sudan have renewed resilience after years of conflict and climate-related challenges.
With funds raised through their 2021 Lent appeal, Trócaire has supported families to grow and sell their own food, access clean water, strengthen their livelihoods and psychologically recover from effects of country-wide conflict. Women in particular have taken on more active roles in their communities, gaining valuable business and leadership skills.
Meet Mary
A mother of nine children, Mary lives in a community frequently affected by climate crises, such as floods and droughts, which ruin her crops. Tradition farming methods no longer provide enough food for her family, and she struggles to meet their daily needs.
Through the project, Mary has received agricultural training in modern farming techniques and been provided with seeds and tools to put her new skills into practice. Programme staff visit her regularly to offer hands-on-support, and her farm is now thriving, with improvements in planting, soil management and water conservation.
“Since the start of the project, my farming skills have improved, and my harvest, especially groundnuts and sorghum, has increased. Now I can sell a surplus and keep my children in school without struggle.” Mary.
Community handpumps have also been rehabilitated, providing safe and reliable water for the first time in years. This has reduced water-borne diseases and eased the burden on women and girls, who previously had to walk long distances to collect water.
Photograph: Mary and her children harvesting their groundnut crop
Mary has also joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), where she’s learnt how to save, borrow and manage money. The VSLA’s provide safe, supportive spaces where women like Mary can build confidence, share ideas and lean on each other. Mary’s group has created a social support fund to pay for school fees for orphaned children in their community, a powerful example of how women’s empowerment can create wider community impact.
“I didn’t know anything about saving before, but now, I save every week and take small loans to pay school fees for my six school-going children.” Mary.
Beyond farming and finance, the project has also established ‘Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces’ where participants can access psychosocial support and life-skills sessions. Here, Mary learns about gender equality and how to advocate for herself and others. In a country where insecurity and displacement can put women and girls at heighted risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), these spaces also serve as vital lifelines, supporting survivors to regain confidence and a sense of safety.
“I used to be quiet about my struggles, but I have confidence now to talk about my rights, and I support other women to know theirs too.” Mary.
Photograph: Mary in her community
Learn more about Trocaire’s project.
Over the past three-years WWF-UK, in collaboration with WWF-Kenya, WWF-Tanzania, African People & Wildlife and South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) have empowered local communities in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania to manage their natural resources sustainably, with positive impacts for both people and wildlife.
Photograph: SORALO all female team of community rangers using a mobile phone to share locations before morning patrol. Credit: WWF-UK
Communities have been supported to live more peacefully alongside wildlife, protect their livestock with predator-proof ‘Living Walls’, manage rangelands sustainably, and women especially have been empowered to take an active role in conservation and develop sustainable enterprises.
Photo: A Maasai community member helping to install a living wall boma at the home of Jopha Kakanyi. Longido, Arusha, Tanzania. Credit: WWF-UK
“We have to continue in making sure that we all focus on giving communities a chance to be the drivers of conservation in these areas because the land belongs to them”. John Kamanga, Director of SORALO
As The Leprosy Mission’s UK Aid Match project comes to a close, almost 3,000 people in remote communities in Northern Mozambique have received the care and treatment needed to cure their leprosy.
Photograph: Leprosy Champions and communities members at a Hub of Hope. Credit: Ricardo Franco
With funds raised through their UK Aid Match appeal in 2021, The Leprosy Mission has supported local Leprosy Champions to recognise the early signs of leprosy and refer people for treatment, established 22 Hubs of Hope to create a safe and inclusive space for people affected by leprosy, and empowered farmers to become more climate-resilient.
In remote communities in Mozambique, people with leprosy often face deep-rooted stigma and discrimination, sometimes they are even banished from their communities, despite leprosy being curable. Through the project, 807 volunteers – called Leprosy Champions – have been trained in leprosy detection, meaning they are able to refer people for treatment before disability sets in. Not only do they support patients throughout their leprosy journey, but they educate their community about leprosy, challenging attitudes and fostering understanding and acceptance.
Meet Monihia
A mother of three, Monihia first noticed discoloured patches appearing on her skin and sought help from a traditional healer in her community. Luckily, this healer had been trained as a Leprosy Champion, so was able to spot the signs of leprosy and refer Monihia to her local health post for treatment.
“I was the first person in my community to be diagnosed with leprosy. I didn’t know I had the disease and didn’t understand what was happening to me. I’m so thankful someone knew what was wrong and I was cured.” Monihia.
Hubs of Hope
Today, Monihia finds support and connection at her village ‘Hub of Hope’ – a welcoming community centre that is often the only place in the village with electricity and internet access. Across Cabo Delgado and Zambezia provinces, 22 Hubs have been established, serving as self-care groups where over 1,700 people affected by leprosy join each week. At the Hubs they check each others feet for cuts and grazes, and clean and bandage any wounds to prevent infection. For people with leprosy it is difficult to feel pain in their feet, so making sure injuries are treated and don’t escalate is the best way of preventing disability in the future. Leprosy Champions can also be found at the Hubs, ready to check for suspecting leprosy, offer support, and refer people for treatment.
Photograph: Monihia is pictured outside a Hub of Hope, known locally as a media centre, in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. Credit: Ricardo Franco
Climate-resilient farming
The Hubs have also become centres of community and resilience. Recognising the growing threat of climate change, which has brought frequent cyclones and crop losses, the project has trained local farmers in sustainable, diversified agriculture. Farmers like Monihia have learned to grow a wider range of crops, such as beans, to improve food security and reduce reliance on a single harvest. Many farmers have also begun selling surplus produce, earning additional income to support their families.
For Monihia, farming has brought not only food and financial stability, but also a sense of purpose and belonging. She and other farmers have joined together to create a community farm, where they grow crops together, and support and teach one another.
Through the dedication of local Leprosy Champions and Hubs of Hubs, people once isolated by leprosy feel welcomed and communities are becoming stronger and more resilient.
Photograph: Gabriel, a government health worker who has been trained to diagnose leprosy and prescribe the antibiotic cure. He travels huge distances on his motorbike to reach rural communities like Monihia’s. Credit: Ricardo Franco
For more information on the project please visit The Leprosy Mission’s website.
