Tuesday 1 September 2015

People’s livelihood in villages



By; Samuel Mumbere
On a 5 days home to home visitation, last week from 17th August to 21st August 2015 Kasese District Local Government, was conducting a survey in different areas across the district. The survey that covered at least 20 sub counties, Kasese Municipality and Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town council was more focused on reproductive health, Child health, people’s awareness about Malaria, STIs, HIV/AIDS, sanitation and infrastructural development.
Seven categories of people were interviewed in every village by random sampling. The categories are; an OVC, a mother on a child 0-11 months, a youth 15-24years, a woman 15-49 years, a man 15-49 years, a mother of a child 12-23 months and a mother of a child 24-59 months
Among sub counties in Bukonzo west that were visited are
;
S/N
Sub county
Villages visited
Number of household visited
1
Mpondwe-Lhubiriha TC
River Mpondwe
Kaserengethe
14
2
Isango S/C
Isango I
Rusese A
14
3
Bwera S/C
Nyakimasa
Kisabu II
14
4
Ihandiro S/C
Bubutyo
Ihango
14
5
Karambi S/C
Kyamuhamira
Ø  Kiyinzo
14
6
Kitholhu S/C
Ø  Kisebere
Ø  Buhuruthi
14

Most of these areas are mountainous. During my visit to these sub counties, I made the following key observations
Most of the villages especially mountainous areas have a health Centre nearby, a school both government and private with in at least 2km vicinity, have good marrum access roads nearby and piped water within at least 2Kms of every village.
It was also observed that at least more than 70% of the people live in permanent and semi-permanent houses with at least a well-built pit latrine.
It was observed that most of the people i.e the youth, men and women know about HIV/AIDs, STIs and malaria, but are so reluctant on issues of prevention and cure
It was observed that there are less cases of mal nutrition in both children and the old though people do not care much about good feeding.
It was observed that at least the biggest percentage of the mothers go for anti-natal care and give birth in health centres.
It was observed that people careless about personal and hygiene, but are averagely healthy on their bodies.
It was also observed that more than 90% of the people take un boiled and un treated water.
It was observed that people eat at least 2 meals a day and have a few economic activities that sustain their livelihood.
According to the Sub county chief of Karambi Sub county Mrs. Masika Ruth, Most of the people in Bukonzo west are a little bit better off only that community needed to be sensitized more to take issues of education and hardworking more serious because most of the youth are still getting very much engaged in alcoholism, sexual promiscuity, early marriages, school dropout rates and laziness.
We therefore need to thank government for the good works and standards of living. We encourage everyone to take concern on participating in improving people’s livelihood to the grass root.
Ends