Fund to Benefit Women Farmers of Northern Uganda, LLC (501c3)

Agriculture in Northern Uganda is primarily performed by women. Because Northern Uganda has been decimated over the past 20 years by war inflicted on them by the Lord’s Resistance Army, the women farmers have been unable to accumulate any resources with which to pull themselves up out of deep poverty. The food they harvest can barely feed themselves and their families, and if they are able to save cassava and grain to sell off-season when prices are higher, it must be stored in their thatched-roof huts with dirt floors, where they and their families live. The stored food often becomes moldy before it can be consumed or sold.

The Fund to Benefit the Women Farmers of Northern Uganda was primarily created to support AWE, a Ugandan non-profit headed by agriculture specialist, Christine Aoyo. AWE aims to help these women farmers by purchasing and securing land on which to farm and teach new farming techniques. Among these is a simple method to dry produce with a moisture reading card that identifies the optimal state of dryness for storage.  Another is a storage bag called a PICS bag, which keeps oxygen out of the bag, causing any insects/larvae to die quickly before produce can be ruined. These technologies, inexpensive by Western standards, are out of reach for these farmers but will drastically improve the yield of their stored produce and thus their income.

When Beaverton Rotary Member, John Cook travelled to Uganda with Joyce Lockard and Paul Alley as a representatives of the Beaverton Rotary Club of Oregon, USA, they went there on a listening tour to find out how they could best help AWE secure a Global Grant from Rotary International.

Joyce, Paul & John meeting to plan Uganda trip

The most immediate need seemed to be a secure storehouse where the farmers’ harvest could be stored safely for sale in the off-season. However, they soon found that the preliminary conditions required for such a grant were not present at AWE. Before Rotary International could invest, there had to be clear title to land on which to build, and the land needed to be secured so that the building materials and later the stored crop would be safe from thieves.

John created the Fund to Benefit Women Farmers of Northern Uganda so that he and others could donate privately and tax-free in the US and send funding that would directly benefit AWE to meet the conditions that would make the Global Grant possible.

The proceeds from John’s fund has provided the foundation of what is now called the Women’s Empowerment Compound, which will house the Global Grant storehouse and more. Here is what the Fund has brought into being so far:

1. Deeded Land. A plot of 5.5 Acres on a main highway in in the Gulu area was purchased and legally deeded to AWE in 2021 with the engagement of a reputed Ugandan attorney.

2. Architectural Plans. A skilled Ugandan architect was hired to design and build an 8ft. stone wall with steel supports which will be topped with razor wire and secured with iron gates. Local men and women were hired to build the wall ($1 per day for women and $2 for men). With additional funds from generous individuals and members of Portland Yacht Club, the wall was completed and closed with the iron gates in 2022. 

Women’s Empowerment Compound Wall

3. Clean Water. A well was dug on the property and provides clean water for all the villages in the area and will provide water for crops and use within the compound.

Woman pumping water at John’s well

4. Grain Storehouse: With the Global Grant started by Joyce, John and Paul Alley in 2018, in partnership with Kitgum Rotary Club, the grain storehouse was completed in 2023. This will enable the farmers to store their crop securely and sell in the off-season, reducing hunger and providing an income.

4. Future Plans. Architectural plans have been drawn for the John Cook Women’s Empowerment Center, which will house a meeting hall, a bakery/kitchen, a farm store, a walk-in fridge, washrooms and toilet and food preparation area. Agricultural Training will take place for women throughout the area in this building and in the compound grounds.

Donate