Leadership Matters!

A Better Way: Megan’s Story

When WGEF member Megan noticed Sudanese refugees struggling to access affordable, nutritious food at the border to the north, she and her team streamlined the unwieldy supply chain and began delivering vegetables and cereals directly from their farms to refugee camps. Stronger local food economy, more hunger relief: Win-win.

We started this journey to improve our lives, but it has become so much more. We are proud to support our community and the refugees who depend on us. Together, we are stronger.

Megan and her group of five determined women have not only transformed their lives, but have also become a lifeline for Sudanese refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict. Recognizing the urgent need for accessible, healthy food sources among refugees from Sudan just across the border of northern Uganda, Megan and her group saw an opportunity to make a real difference. With support from the WGEF, they cut out the middlemen in the local food supply chain and began supplying fresh produce and grains directly from their farms to markets and refugee settlement camps at the border. This direct supply approach ensures that refugees receive nutritious food at affordable prices, while also stabilizing the local food economy.

Their business is thriving, and the impact is profound. The group’s dedication and hard work have not only improved their own problem-solving and business acumen, but also provided essential support to those in dire need. They have become a symbol of resilience and hope, showcasing the power of empowerment, solidarity, and community-driven initiatives in fostering a sustainable local food economy to fight hunger.

In Her Own Words: Christine’s Story

It was impossible to propose a law against child marriage if I wasn’t in leadership.

The only way to protect girls from forced childhood marriage was to pass a law; the only people who could pass laws were elected leaders—so with WGEF’s support, Christine ran for office and won her seat at the table!

“I knew I can do something; I knew I can have a say to change the unfair norm in my society. But how do I do this? What can I do to foster the change that is much needed? It was a challenge, with a deep fear of how society will judge me if I speak about the silent killer of our children who were forced and married off at a tender age in exchange for animals or money.

“I believed this issue can be sorted, but as a community, we need rules that protect our daughters! The only way forward for me was to join elective leadership so that I can be among the community representatives. This I achieved with support from WGEF’s program of mentorship and technical support from Gulu Women’s Resource Centre. Every Friday evening, we sit to learn how to write position papers to be presented and learn more about public speaking. This boosted my self-esteem, I gained the popularity I needed, and I realized I can be a community leader. I am already leading a group of over 1,200 people, including men. WGEF supported me, and many other women contesting for office, and I won as the Women Councilor Three. I head the Women and Children’s Affairs Committee.

“In my division, we have engaged all stakeholders and we have succeeded in passing a law that prohibits early child marriage. Now we are looking forward to implementing it. I believe this is a landmark achievement that many divisions will benchmark on. Now, I can talk about some of the unhealthy cultural norms in my community, and a lot is changing for justice and equity for all.”

— Christine Aryemo, Gulu