Seeds of Change: World Vision’s Visit to Ekcians GreenLyf Foundation

World Vision’s Buikwe Office and Community Impact

The day began with the EGF team, led by Managing Director Mr. Samuel Kusasira, visiting World Vision’s Buikwe Area Operations Office. Mr. Martín, Project Lead for Livelihood and Resilience, provided an overview of World Vision’s extensive 15-year involvement in Ngogwe and Kasubi counties. Their primary initiatives include:

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Nutrition: World Vision promotes resilient food security practices, ensuring that families can sustain themselves despite environmental challenges.
2. Micro-Group Empowerment: Household savings groups have been organized to access microfinance, empowering families to increase their income and financial stability.
3. Environmental Management: By promoting agroforestry and Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), World Vision supports sustainable energy use and environmental preservation.

World Vision’s operations also prioritize child development, with 2,700 children already benefiting from World Vision’s support. These programs are having a profound impact. Now, as World Vision phases out activities in Ngogwe, they are placing emphasis on community self-reliance—laying the groundwork for potential collaboration with EGF.

A Visit to Bukade Magezi Savings and Transformation Group

One of the highlights of the day was a visit to the Bukade Magezi household savings group. Comprising 30 members, many of whose children benefit from World Vision’s support, this group is an inspiring example of community-driven initiatives. Key activities at Bukade Magezi include:

• Energy-Saving Technologies: Members demonstrated the production of energy-saving stoves made from local materials. These stoves, which require three months to dry, reduce smoke emissions, cut firewood consumption, and improve household safety. They also shared the benefits of these stoves, including cost savings, protection for children from burn risks, and reduced dependency on firewood, which decreases vulnerability, particularly for young girls and mothers. 
• Income-Generating Ventures: From making briquettes and weaving baskets to growing vegetables (onions, tomatoes, cabbages, eggplants), members of the group are creating supplementary income streams, strengthening economic resilience.

They highlighted their focus on planting various trees to combat food insecurity and environmental degradation. By integrating fruit-bearing, indigenous, and medicinal trees, they are enhancing crop productivity, marking land boundaries, and contributing to oxygen exchange—ensuring sustainable agriculture that benefits the whole community. These also act as windbreaks.