Go Organic Africa Dream Village
Building a brighter future with local solutions to improve health and vitality, while restoring the area’s vibrant ecosystem.
In rural Uganda, subsistence farming is a way of life. People live off the food they grow and experience a deep connection with the land. But, water is hours away, the soil is depleted, and families are struggling to survive.
During the height of COVID, Alphonse Twinamatsiko, the co-founder of Go Organic Africa in Kabale, Uganda, had a dream. He dreamed of a village with sparkling clean water, lush vegetable gardens and fruit forests, rich soil and healthy livestock. People lived in harmony with each other and their environment. The children were strong and vibrant.
When Alphonse awakened, he realized his Go Organic Africa team had the skills and knowledge to build this “Dream Village.” He could see that a brighter future was possible.
Rainwater Harvesting
Before the Dream Village, the people of Buzaniro walked 4 hours to collect water. Go Organic Africa works side-by-side with the Buzaniro community to build rainwater harvesting systems and biosand filters to provide ready access to fresh, clean water.
Nutritional Gardens
Most Buzaniro families eat leafy green vegetables and fruit at most once a week, which results in important micronutrient deficiencies. Go Organic Africa works with the Buzaniro community to build vegetable gardens and fruit forests at each home to provide a delicious source of high nutrient foods. To date, over 600 trees and 45,000 vegetable seedlings have been planted to combat the impact of climate change and reduce soil erosion.
Rabbit Breeding
Approximately, 40% of children in Buzaniro suffer from malnutrition. Most families eat meat only once or twice a year, and lack access to other sufficient sources of protein. Children who do not get enough protein in their first 1,000 days often suffer cognitive damage that lasts a lifetime. Go Organic Africa is training residents to breed rabbits which provide an excellent source of protein, as well as a means to generate income.
Savings Groups
Without savings, poor families are constantly living on the edge. Teamwork is central to the Dream Village program, and the teams that have worked together to build the rain water harvesting systems, nutritional gardens and rabbit hutches have created Savings Groups. Members contribute funds on a monthly basis and borrow from the group during times of crisis or to buy tools that will enable them to generate greater income.
“The whole district will come and learn from us.”
— Buzaniro Village Elder