5.2 The story of EDF
5.2.1 Historical trends of EDF
EDF was started in 2000 as a development organization as an offshoot of Emesco social enterprises that had been conceived in 1998 (see Chapter 1). It was founded by two local members of the community as a means of helping to lift the people out of poverty. The initial thinking was that there was need for a social enterprise in the form of start-up capital for poor communities in Kibaale to turn around their conditions. However, along the way the founders noted that the missing link or what people actually lacked was not resources but knowledge (see Chapter 6). Therefore EDF had to repackage itself to focus on “empowering people to sustain themselves” with the available local resources (EDF, 2010a).
EDF currently serves about 250,000 people in Kibaale District. EDF has trained over 680 CDWs who work as extension agents in their fields of specialization as TBAs, CHWs and CRPs
118
(Kugonza, 2010). EDF had by 2010 trained about 12,000 farmers and equipped them with tools and modern farming skills.
As noted above, EDF’s focus and approach to development has been changing since its inception. This has been as a result people’s needs, funding sources and capacity, national and international agendas, learning from experience and benchmarking against best practices of similar organizations on the national and international scene.
In spite of the changed focus, the enterprise aspect still remains but now works as a means of supporting farmers in terms of providing them with markets for their produce but also generating some income to ensure the smooth running of the organization. Currently EDF runs two project enterprises, that is, a honey processing project and a maize milling plant. EDF buys produce from farmers for processing to add value and cut back on losses resulting from the lack of a market.
Besides the main development arm of EDF, there has also been the establishment of EDF micro- finance and 2 Emesco Health Centres in Karuguuza and Bubango. The health centres operate as independent entities for the wellbeing of the people of Kibaale (see Chapter one). As a means of supporting the farmers with marketing their farm produce, EDF also runs two income-generating projects of honey-processing and maize milling at Karuguuza.
The table below profiles the historical development of EDF from its inception. The purpose of the table is to show the changes EDF has undergone, that is, the emergence of partnerships, innovations and programmes.
Table 6: A chronology of Emesco Development Foundation
Date Event
1998 EDF conceived by two local citizens as a social enterprise
2000 • EDF registered as a not-for profit development organization
• Joined Uganda NGO forum
• EDF structure and operations characterized by:
o Young organization with programmes but not with comprehensive management structure
o Few and small stand-alone programmes o Few professional and technical staff o No strategic plan in place
o Few funders & financiers
o The founders were part of the Board
o Small and crowded office in a commercial building with noisy environment (Karuguuza Town)
o Few policies
o Few logistical means like motorcycles, computers, internet, furniture, vehicles etc.
2002 EDF gained partnership with Aidlink, Ireland, in areas of health, water and sanitation, education and agriculture.
2003 • Management structure was constituted with a professional board and a full time Executive Director in place
• Founders separated from management board
120
• First strategic planning process initiated to harmonize and refocus the future of the organization
• Foundation acquired new offices and moved out of rented small office in Karuguuza town into a conducive working environment
2004 • Conducted a baseline study of the socio-economic situation of rural households in Buyanja county
• Joined National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU)
• Joined Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda (AMFIU) 2005 Joined Sustainable Agriculture Trainers Network (SATNET)
2006 EDF Micro-finance Programme spun-off from the main EDF and started operating as a different entity under a separate board
2007 • EDF extended its service to the county of Buyaga County and opened up a field office at Nyamarunda with a team of 5 staff members
• Ventured into agro-processing and value-addition initiatives. With support from Bees abroad, honey processing started to ensure sustainability of the project
2008 • EDF moved to increase its outreach strategy by launching the radio campaign with Kibaale – Kagadi community radio (KKCR) as forum to reach out to a bigger population including those not yet practically served
• EDF receives $105,000 (about sh200m) from the McKnight Foundation towards sustainable agriculture development in Kibaale.
• Annual budget of EDF reached 1 billion Uganda shillings (approximately USD 400,000.00).
• Training manual for Community Health Workers is launched
• Joined Kibaale District Civil Society Organizations’ Network (KCSON) and Joined Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET)
2009 • Joined Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the Regional Schools and Colleges Permaculture (Re-SCOPE)
• The launch of the second phase bee-keeping with support from Bees Abroad, UK
• More funding received by EDF to support a range of activities:
o With support of Aidlink, EDF moved to Buyaga county (Health, agric. &
water)
o The Women Sustainable Agric programme for Mugarama S/county funded by The McKnight Foundation.
o The Integrated Agric Dev programme funded by Gorta in Mugarama S/county o The launch of 2nd phase of bee-keeping with support from Bess Abroad, UK.
Ruteete Apiary programme started
o Electric Aid and The Tudor Trust supported the Agro-processing complex.
o The school water and sanitation programme for Buyanja supported by Aidlink in needy primary schools.
2010 • Baseline study report on the community health situation in 20 selected communities of Matale and Kyebando sub-counties in Buyanja county
• SIMAVI, Germany supported the extension of ICHP to cover areas of Kyebando, Matale and Nyamaarwa sub-counties
• The 10th Anniversary celebrations for EDF that saw many stakeholders meet to take stock of the achievements so far registered and pledge more commitment to the betterment of life in Kibaale and beyond
2011 • Gorta agreed to support integrated conservation and development projects (ICDP) Buyanja programme (under water, health & agric.).
• 2 Aid from Germany started supporting the construction of shallow wells in needy communities, of Buyanja County
• Farma mundi supported the medical camp programme in Itomero, Wantema and Nyamugusa which are hard to reach areas of Kibaale District
122
2012 • 5 staff enrol and complete a Training of Trainers course with Community Based Health Care Association of Uganda, Kampala