Positive Parenting

Positive parenting is a module that empowers parents with the knowledge and tools necessary to address their child’s wellbeing in a holistic manner. Terego CCCD employed parenting in 2021 as an entry point, at the project’s inception, and has since gained the support of three sub-counties – Bileafe, Katrini, and Aii-vuu. To date, there are 33 parenting groups (1306 women and 961 men). By encouraging spouses to attend sessions together and visiting homes with local leaders and group members, we have successfully sensitized communities and promoted a collaborative approach to parenting.

Through parenting sessions, participants learn to support their children’s education and health, and address community vices like domestic violence and child abuse. As a result, couples adopted planning meetings to manage finances, and children’s voices are now heard in decision-making. Local leaders reported a significant reduction in crime, attributing this to the parenting program’s impact. Additionally, the parenting groups gave birth to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to promote savings, financial skills, and empowerment, with 39 SHGs currently active in Bileafe and 10 In Katrini, averaging 2 SHGs per parenting group.

Geoffrey, a 43-year-old peasant farmer, and his wife Scovia, a 42 with a passion for parenting, have always worked hard to provide for their family. Their lives took a turn for the best when they joined a parenting program and a savings group, known as “Ama nda nyazu” loosely translating to “We search for eating.”

This program taught them the importance of developing a three-year family vision, which would guide their weekly savings. Geoffrey and Scovia, along with their Seven children, created a vision that included buying a motorcycle for a boda-boda business, purchasing ten goats for rearing, and building a three-roomed iron sheet house for their family. “Our 3 years family vision spelt that in year 1 (2022) we would buy a motorcycle for a boda-boda business, and in years 2 (2023), we would buy 10 goats for rearing, and in year 3 (2024,) we would build a 3 roomed iron sheet house for family accommodation” adds Geoffrey

With this vision in mind, the couple worked tirelessly, saving 5,000 Ugandan shillings every week. They also started a retail business, selling silver fish and other food items in the market, while Geoffrey burned charcoal for sale. “We farm our land, but we also do retail business; I sell silver fish and other food items in the market while my husband burns charcoal for sale.” Scovia narrates. Despite missing some weeks, they managed to save a total of 416,000 Ugandan shillings in a year.

To achieve their goal of buying a motorcycle, the couple harvested cassava worth 850,000/- from their field and sold it to raise the remaining amount needed. Finally, they were able to purchase a second-hand motorcycle, which they proudly posed with, along with their last-born child, Robina.

Before joining the program, Geoffrey was a drunkard, often spending his money on alcohol and coming home with bruises. However, with the help of the parenting program, he transformed his life, stopping drinking and becoming a responsible husband and father. I was a drunkard, but the parenting program changed me,” Geoffrey said, smiling. “I stopped drinking and became a responsible husband and father.

Scovia, who was the first to attend the AEE program, encouraged Geoffrey to join, and he found meaning in life through parenting. The program taught them the importance of valuing play for their children, and they built a temporary hut for their kids to play in.

Positive parenting has continuously helped us raise our children daily. Says Geoffrey

The couple’s involvement in the savings group also reduced domestic violence in their home, as they learned to work together as a team. They appreciated the counseling they received from fellow group members and the healthy competition it promoted among families in the community. “I am grateful to Help A Child that allows AEE to conduct development program in my community, this has changed not only my family, but also the community. Most of us in the community now have food security because we are trained to work hard and practice integrated farm plan, we are also trained to take care of our children’s education, health, dressing and accommodation.” says Geoffrey