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

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, WGEF Member

Meet Megan and her group of five determined women, who have not only transformed their lives but have also become a lifeline for Sudanese refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict. With support from the Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF), Megan’s group is engaged in farming grains and vegetables; their success story is nothing short of inspiring!

Recognizing the urgent need for affordable, nutritious food for refugees from Sudan and South Sudan, Megan and her group saw an opportunity to make a real difference. By cutting out the middlemen in the local food supply chain, they began supplying fresh produce directly from their farms to markets and refugee settlement camps at the border. This direct supply approach has ensured 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 lives but also provided essential support to those in dire need. Megan and her team have become a symbol of resilience and hope, showcasing the power of community-driven initiatives.

Their story is a testament to the incredible impact that empowerment and solidarity can have, both in transforming lives and in fostering a supportive and sustainable local food economy.

In 2023, food security is facing an ongoing global crisis; local farmers, and food chains can help prevent food insecurity created by high food and fuel costs and climate change, at the household and community level by creating local food economies. Local growers and food supply chains can provide sustainable access to available, diverse and affordable food.

Support our local food revolution to increase food security and prevent shortages and famine! Access to healthy food is a human right!

Peace,

I’m so happy that I can now read and write my name an opportunity which I lost when I was young but when WEGF opened the free literacy program I was among the first one to register.

— Grace Arach

“My name is Grace Arach, 29 years old, I have 3 children and a member of Kwo Aye Lonyo women group, I joined WGEF in 2008 and together with my members we have received 5 loan cycles. I sell fruits in the market and do some agriculture for home consumption. It was my first time to join any loan program and I feel preveraged to be part of the WGEF. I receive only 80,000shs $40 as my first loan which I invested in fruits as of now I have 300,000 $160 in my capital which I have raised through my saving and profits. I’m so happy that I can now read and write my name an opportunity which I lost when I was young but when WEGF opened the free literacy program I was among the first one to register. I was among the many girls who were abducted by Joseph Kony’s Rebels LRA and I spent 8 years with them in the bush. I was brutally beaten, forced to carry heavy loads and was forced to kill one of the girls whom we were abducted with using a stick imagine! I was raped and forced to sleep with many rebels to the extent that I don’t know the fathers of my 2 beautiful kids whom I came back with after being rescued by government forces…”

— Submitted with permission by author; translated by WGEF Program Manager

It’s May and that means we focus on Menstrual Hygiene! At WGEF, we’re raising our voices to
break taboos and change the narrative.

Check out our latest HPI newsletter for Menstrual Hygiene Day, 2024!

WGEF Field Educator, Harriet, talking about challenges and solutions around menstrual health:

“One of the strongest connections is that of being a mother ~ which can mean many things ~ all of our clients are mothers. They are taking care of their children, children who were orphaned because of a long conflict, taking care of their families and each other, taking care of the land, water, and their communities.”

— Karen Sugar, WGEF Founder & Executive Director

Today I celebrate mothers day with JoyI’m entering my permanent house that I constructed from my own saving for 5 years.

Nancy, 48 a mother of 6 children, spent 14 years in IDP (Internally Displaced Camp) during the insurgence of LRA. She, like many, lost everything and depended on rations from WFP. Nancy joined WGEF 6 years back and has been running her agro business in the Gulu District.

“I set up 2 goals when in joined WGEF (1) To educate all my children and (2) To construct a decent house. I have achieved both my children all are in school. One graduated this year and today I’m entering my new house” 

“Thank you WGEF for empowering my family.”

— Nancy – WGEF – Beneficiary Gulu