On 17th October following the distribution of farm tools and seeds in August, Mother and Children Development Aid (MaCDA) conducted a field trip to Jukokwe and Kudwo Bomas in Lokiliri Payam, Central Equatoria State. The visit had two main objectives:
- To monitor the progress of the agricultural activities initiated by the community members with the distributed tools and seeds.
- To gather feedback from the community on potential sustainable livelihood activities that MaCDA could support in the future
Observations and findings
During the visit, MaCDA’s team engaged directly with community leaders, youths, women’s groups, and people with disabilities. The observations regarding agricultural progress and the feedback on sustainable livelihoods were as follows:
- Progress after distribution: The team assessed the status of the crops planted with the seeds provided in August. This enabled MaCDA to understand how effectively the distributed resources were being utilized and to identify any challenges the farmers were facing, such as environmental factors or farming techniques.
- Community empowerment: Discussions with various community representatives indicated strong engagement and a desire to move towards greater self-reliance.
- Challenges: Ongoing issues like cattle incursions have previously impacted farming in Lokiliri Payam, an issue that may have been discussed during the monitoring visit.
Outcomes and next steps
The visit was a critical step in MaCDA’s Community Empowerment project, which aims to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations. By receiving direct input from the beneficiaries in Jukokwe and Kudwo Bomas, the organization can:
- Tailor future support: Adapt its programs to better suit the specific needs and aspirations of the community.
- Enhance sustainability: Ensure that future interventions focus on sustainable economic growth that empowers local women and other vulnerable groups.
- Strengthen relationships: Build on the existing relationship with the community, fostering trust and collaboration for long-term development.
