Introduction to Self Help Approach

The Self Help Approach is a successful instrument for combating poverty in a sustainable way.
It empowers the very poor, the majority being women, socially, economically and politically empowering them to live a life of dignity with their children in their community. The approach is based on two foundation stones:
1. Every human being has tremendous potential in himself/herself. This hidden potential can be unleashed if the right environment is provided.
2. As individuals, the poor are voiceless, powerless and vulnerable. By bringing them together as a homogenous collective group, they have tremendous strength to voice and address their needs.

Our Vision for Uganda

To have a society where all women are fully empowered to influence the development of their communities.

Mission.

To facilitate the promotion of the Self Help Group (SHG) approach/concept at all levels of Ugandan society.

Implementation.

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods are used by the entire community to identify the every poor in their respective areas. These are then invited to become members of a self help group.
15-20 members form one group and 8-10 groups select representatives to form a Cluster Level Association. These later form a federation which is the apex body for the whole approach.

Objectives for the National coordination office.

1) To coordinate the work of NGOs who have initiated the Self Help approach within the country, including overall monitoring, reporting and capacity building.
2) To propagate the concept to other NGOs for whom it is new and get them on board with NGOs who have already started.
3) To develop a Resource bank for use by NGOs especially in the fields of relevant skills, Appropriate Technology, Micro-credit, health, education and other service providers relevant for this approach

Current status.

By the end of 2006 , 11 NGOs were promoting the approach in 23 districts of Uganda. A total number of 726 Self help groups have been formed with11,856 members and 30 Cluster level Associations

Pioneer Promoting Organisations in Uganda.

• African Evangelistic Enterprise - AEE (Jinja, Hoima, Kabale, Kanungu, Kasese, Mbarara, Mbale, Masaka, Mpigi, Fortportal, Lira, Nebbi, Apac, Butaleja)
• Kitovu Mobile AIDS Home Care Counselling & Orphans Program - MAHCOP (Masaka)
• Feed The Children Uganda - FTCU( Kaberamaido)
• Center for Evangelism - CFE (Iganga, Kamuli, Kaliro)
• Empower Children & Communities Against Abuse - ECCA (Lyantonde and Kampala)
• Mityana Diocese Church of Uganda (Mityana)
• Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, Church of Uganda (Hoima)
• Komamboga Women and Youth Ecomonic
• PotentialEmpowerment Group - KWYEEG (Wakiso)
• Environmental Health Outreach Foundation - ECHO (Luwero)
• Masaka Diocesan Women’s Association -MADWA (Masaka)
• Buganda Kingdom.( Mityana)

Contact
Jethro Bamutungire
Resident Associate SHG Coordination
Tel. +256 (0) 312 261190, +256 (0) 41 34 87 80, +256 (0) 772 565135
Email: shg@bushnet.net
Tel. (256) 0772 565 135