The Lion of Global Grant 2120848
It is not often that a Rotary project reports its workers being terrorized by a lion, but that’s exactly what happened during the pre-project work for Global Grant 2120848. The initiative, titled Helping Women Farmers in Uganda, focuses on Community Economic Development. The Beaverton Rotary Club serves as the international partner, while the Rotary Club of Kitgum acts as the local sponsor in Uganda. The project aims to improve the livelihoods of 180 poor women farmers by training them in better farming methods and constructing a grain storehouse for community use.
John Cook, a former member of the Beaverton Rotary Club, was a key figure in this project. Deeply moved by the extreme poverty he witnessed during a community assessment visit, John took immediate action, using his own funds to strengthen the capacity of the Cooperating Organization. He replaced the initial non-profit, SAS, with a social enterprise called Agrilinks for Women Empowerment LLC (AWE). AWE operates as a profit-oriented business, reinvesting its net income into community development, ensuring the project’s long-term sustainability.
To support AWE’s operations, John purchased five and a half acres of land near Gulu and commissioned the construction of a six-foot-high brick security wall around the property. The contractor hired for the project relied solely on manual labor, creating numerous jobs for the local community. Unconventionally, women were employed for physically demanding tasks such as carrying bricks, gravel, and sand—work traditionally reserved for men. Although they were paid only about a dollar a day, half of what male laborers earned, the women were grateful for the opportunity to earn an income.
During the construction, a dramatic incident occurred. While around 100 workers were clearing dense scrub and tall grass from the site, several spotted a lion emerging from a bushy area. Alarm spread instantly, and the entire workforce fled in terror. Nearby shops closed, children ran home from school, and villagers barricaded themselves indoors. The Government Wildlife Rangers arrived two days later, eventually trapping and relocating the lion to a wildlife park. Work was halted for five days, leaving some families without food and water, and workers without pay.
Despite the project’s progress, the wall remains unfinished due to a lack of funds. This incomplete barrier compromises the security of the premises, exposing the site and its assets to potential risks. Completing the wall is critical to safeguarding the grain storehouse and other planned community initiatives.
The story of the Lion of Global Grant 2120848 illustrates the unpredictable challenges faced in development projects and the resilience needed to overcome them. It also highlights the transformative impact of empowering women, fostering economic growth, and the pressing need for continued support to ensure the project’s success.